I came out of FURIOUS 7 on the fence about whether it was my favorite of the series (subsequent viewings put it just behind FAST FIVE for me), but one thing was sure: it had my favorite villain so far by a non-jumpable margin. Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw was like the series Wile E. Coyote, constantly showing up at the most improbable moments to exact his revenge on Dom and his crew for incapacitating his brother Owen. Even better, it was Statham, who not only has the star power but the tough guy pedigree to go head-on against Diesel without seeming like a moron begging to get his skull bashed in. They kept him alive at the end, presumably to bring him back (wise), but it looks like they’re also bringing in another character, and who do they want to play her?
You guessed it…Frank Stallone.
Actually, the powers-that-be (namely Vin, Neal Moritz, and Uni) want none other than Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron to serve as the latest heavy. No word on who her character would be, except that they intend on keeping her around for more than one film (because, obviously) and that, you know, she probably drives real good.
Obviously, FURY ROAD is a huge motivator behind this casting, and it’s incredibly astute of them to try and leech some of the goodwill off of that other, admittedly less lucrative (but much well-regarded) car-chase film. Plus, Charlize had such a great turn as the over-the-top villain in SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN that folks in the talkbacks were actually saying she was a better fit for Rita Repulsa than Effie herself, Elizabeth Banks.
According to Variety, “it’s unclear where negotiations stand currently,” but knowing that Theron’s at the top of the list assures two things. 1. that the latest villain will be a female, a first for the franchise. 2. if they get her, they’ll have someone who is not only a big enough star to attract even more attention to this franchise, but someone who can actually face off against our tough-guy-and-girl group of heroes without looking like aspiring roadkill.
I just hope they get her. Who could their number 2 possibly be? Remember when it was rumored that Helen Mirren would come aboard as Mama Shaw, getting revenge for her boys?
Since Furiosa probably ain’t coming back, FAST 8 will have to do on April 17, 2017.
P.S. Can you guys bring Kurt back, if you'd be so kind?
