Charlize Theron is officially behind the wheel for the next FAST & FURIOUS sequel.
The Mad Max: Fury Road star was rumoured to be in talks to play the villain in the eighth instalment of the hugely successful action series back in February (16), and now she has officially signed on for the project, according to Deadline.com.
The role reunites Charlize with Fast 8 filmmaker F. Gary Gray, who directed her in 2003's The Italian Job remake.
Vin Diesel and his franchise co-stars, including Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris, will all return for the follow-up to Furious 7, which currently stands as the sixth-highest-grossing film in global box office history.
Details surrounding Charlize's character have yet to be revealed.
Production on Fast 8 is expected to begin in May (16), ahead of an April, 2017 release.
The movie will be one of three final sequels for speed-loving fans of the franchise, as Vin, who plays Dominic Toretto, previously confirmed the series will hand over the keys after a 10th and final film. He took to Instagram in February (16) to reveal the ninth movie will hit theatres in April, 2019 followed by the grand finale in April, 2021.
The release dates were announced along with the words: "2 Decades. 10 films. 1 saga."
The first film in the franchise was released back in 2001.
Previous villains have included Jason Statham, Luke Evans, Cole Hauser, and John Ortiz.
Theron will be the series' first main female villain, although ultimate fighting champions Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey played gad girls in Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7, respectively.
PHOTO: WENN.com
