UFC champion Ronda Rousey is in negotiations to join the cast of Fast & Furious 7, Universal Pictures confirmed on Thursday. Rousey, who will soon begin filming The Expendables 3, is nearing a deal for a minor supporting role that will showcase her fighting skills.

James Wan is directing Fast & Furious 7, which will star Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson, as well as plenty of other familiar faces who will return for the latest sequel. The film will begin shooting next month in Atlanta.

As EnStars previously reported, actress Jordana Brewster, who starred in Fast and Furious 6, will be back for more in the upcoming film and dished about the next film in the franchise.

Although she hasn't seen the script yet, the actress told EnStars, she is "really excited" and knows it'll be a "fun ride" for fans.

In the Fast and Furious franchise, Brewster's Mia Torreto started as the girl-next-door love interest for Paul Walker's Brian, but over the course of six films has grown to become just as bad ass as the boys. In Fast and Furious 6, Mia returned as a wife and mother willing to do anything to protect her family.

"I'm excited to be reuniting with all the boys," she gushed about co-stars Walker, Vin Diesel and Tyrese Gibson. "We're like family. It's lovely."

Jason Statham Reveals Details About Playing Villain Ian Shaw

Other big names being linked to the film are Halle Berry, Taylor Lautner and Rihanna. Actor Jason Statham will join the cast for the seventh film as villian Ian Shaw, who wants revenge on Dominic Torreto and his crew after they took down his bother, Owen Shaw.

Statham told Empire he was actually reluctant to play a villain.

"I didn't really want to play the villain, but there are certain moments where you think it might be a good time to do that," the British actor explained.

'Fast and Furious 7' Director Calls Film 'Gritty '70s Revenge Thriller'

He continued: "I'm not saying I'm the full-blooded... I'm not going to tell you too much about what I'm going to do in the film, but if it's a good villain, there's obviously some consideration to be made. There are some really bad villains out there, and I don't want to get myself wet with that s**t."

Fast and Furious 7 is set to premiere in theaters July 2014.

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