Jason Statham will return for Fast & Furious 8

If we’re being honest, it’s not like we didn’t see this coming – but Jason Statham has just confirmed that he will be returning for the next instalment in the juggernaut-sized automobile franchise, Fast & Furious 8. After Fast & Furious 7 took in box office receipts by the bucketload, it’s no wonder that Universal are steaming straight ahead with the next film, and eager to get Statham back on board as Deckard Shaw, the main antagonist of this year’s record-breaking film. Speaking with Access Hollywood, the actor said,

‘We’re already talking about doing another one – Part 8 – and I’m a newcomer, I just got invited to the party [on] this last one, and it’s nice to know I’m going to be doing another.’

When pressed about what to expect from the eighth movie, Statham was keen to avoid the question, rather letting on that, ‘They’ve always got something good up their sleeve, and I don’t want to be the one who spoils everything… but there is some great stuff that I already know about.’

It’s nice to know that Shaw won’t be sweltering (spoiler warning) in that cell for too long. What we’re wondering is: will Shaw be the main villain once more? Or will he play stooge to a larger, newer menace? Also expect the return of Kurt Russell’s character, along with familiar faces Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and others.

Fast & Furious 8 is set to be released on April 2017.