'West Side Story' Legend Rita Moreno Joins the 'Fast' Family in 'Fast X' - Who Is She Playing? (Will She Drive?!)
In a surprise announcement yesterday, actor Vin Diesel dropped the bombshell news that Rita Moreno is joining the Fast and the Furious family. In the Instagram post, Diesel appears on video alongside the Oscar-winning actress, and fellow Fast X castmate Michelle Rodriguez, where he revealed that Moreno will be playing his character, Dominic Toretto's, grandmother.
Seemingly filmed in the morning, an elated and grateful Diesel says:
"It's been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno. And the fact that she's here, playing my grandmother, makes my soul smile. I'm so blessed."
A smiling Moreno responds:
"You know what? I think I was getting...I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me. Isn't that nice? And I'm here, and the answer is, 'Yes, I'll do it.' And not only do it, I'm tickled...I'm so thrilled. This is going to be so much fun!" The new co-stars wrap up the video by professing their love and admiration for each other.
The revelation of Moreno, an EGOT winner who is perhaps best known for playing Anita in 1961's West Side Story, joining the cast of Fast X is a spot of good news for the penultimate installment of Universal's hit film franchise. Previously, the film was plagued with bad news - the studio having to find a replacement for director Justin Lin, who quit the project just days into production.
Lin, who had returned to the franchise after directing F9: The Fast Saga and the third through sixth films, was a key architect of the massive franchise's success, and was set to direct both Fast X and the final, eleventh installment. Unfortunately, Lin left abruptly, after reaching a breaking point.
Though Lin continues on with the project as a producer, Fast X has found its new director in Louis Leterrier.
With the news of Moreno joining Fast X, are you once again excited for the newest installment in the Fast and the Furious film series? Are you going to see the film in theaters? Let us know!
For more entertainment news and commentary, check out Enstarz! We bring you the latest on your favorite celebrities, TV shows, films.
