Legendary actress Rita Moreno joins the cast of Fast X as the grandmother of Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto. The Fast & Furious franchise has been going strong since its debut in 2001. Diesel has led a stellar cast throughout the series, the core of which has featured Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, and the late Paul Walker. Diesel's Dom also promotes the importance of "family" throughout the series, with the inclusion of his brother Jakob (John Cena) being a major focus for Fast and Furious 9.
The cast of Fast X already features numerous new faces, with the addition of major stars such as Brie Larson, Jason Momoa, Alan Ritchson, Michael Rooker, and Daniela Melchior. Despite some behind-the-scenes shakeups that saw director Justin Lin exiting Fast 10, the movie is currently still in production under the new direction of The Incredible Hulk's Louis Leterrier. The film's plot is still unknown, but with such a longstanding franchise, audiences already know what to expect in terms of action and spectacle. The Fast and Furious saga has continued to up the stakes with more death-defying stunts in each new installment, but now it's added yet another heavy-hitter to its cast.
In a video posted to Instagram by Diesel, he sits with Rodriguez and Moreno, stating, "It has been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno." The star goes on to let viewers know that Moreno is taking on the role of Dominic and Mia Toretto's grandmother in Fast X. Adding that he feels "blessed," Moreno then chimes in, saying she is thrilled to be part of the franchise, and that it's going to be a lot of "fun." Check out Diesel's video with Moreno below:
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Most audiences will remember Moreno from her portrayal of Anita in the classic 1961 musical West Side Story. However, the actress has been working steadily since 1950, with over 150 credits to her name and an impressive résumé. In recent years, Moreno has appeared on Grey's Anatomy, Grace and Frankie, and Jane the Virgin. Last year, she also appeared in Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story in the new role of Valentina. And at the age of 90, Moreno is clearly game for a big-budget action movie like Fast X. With the addition of Moreno, the Fast franchise continues its pattern of surprising audiences with legendary actors, after already featuring the likes of Kurt Russell and Helen Mirren.
Despite the director change, Fast X is still said to be on track for its May 19, 2023 release date. With new cast members being added regularly, Moreno may also not be the last big name to sign onto the film. The extent of her role is also unknown, as it could be a minor part, much like some of the big names that have appeared in the franchise, or something more substantial given Toretto's penchant for family. Further details on Fast X will be forthcoming as the project continues through production.
Source: Vin Diesel
