Furious 8 could film a scene in previously-barred Cuba
The Fast and the Furious series has been known for its globe-hopping. Though the action started in the streets of Los Angeles with the first film, the crew has traveled to Miami, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi among many other locations, and now they’re preparing for a previously-closed off location.
Both Variety and THR bring word that Universal Pictures is in the process of gaining permission to shoot a scene for the upcoming Furious 8 in Cuba, making it the first Hollywood studio film to shoot in the country since the 1960s.
“Universal Pictures is currently in the process seeking approval from the United States and Cuban governments to explore shooting a portion of the next installment of the Fast & Furious series in Cuba,” the studio wrote in a statement.
Principal photography on the film will take place in both New York and Atlanta, Georgia with THR revealing that two other possible locations for the film could be the previously-unexplored Russia and Iceland.
Series star Vin Diesel announced Furious 8 at last year’s CinemaCon after the unprecedented success of the seventh film, which earned $1.515 billion at the worldwide box office, and he along with Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Russell are expected to return, along with franchise regulars Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black reprising their roles as street racers-turned-international criminals-turned-super-secret agents.
To be directed by F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton, The Italian Job), Universal Pictures will deliver Furious 8 for an April 14, 2017 release. The film will be the start of a new trilogy that will close out the franchise.
