<P> The Fate of the Furious marks the first installment in the franchise since The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) not to star both Paul Walker, who died in a single - vehicle crash during the filming of Furious 7 (2015) on November 30, 2013, and Jordana Brewster . Script rewrites to the seventh installment after Walker's death were intended to complete the story arcs for both of their characters (Brian O'Conner and Mia Toretto, respectively). </P> <P> Plans for an eighth installment were first announced in March 2015 when Diesel appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and announced that the film would be set in New York City . Preparations for the film began immediately after the release of Furious 7, with Diesel, Morgan and producer Neal H. Moritz re-signing . After setting an initial release date in the same month, casting took place between April and June 2015 . In October 2015, Gray was announced to direct the film in the place of James Wan, who had directed the previous installment . Principal photography began in March 2016 in locations such as Mývatn, Havana, Atlanta, Cleveland and New York City, continuing the franchise's tradition of filming in exotic locations around the world . </P> <P> The Fate of the Furious premiered in Berlin on April 4, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on April 14, 2017, playing in 3D, IMAX 3D and 4DX internationally . The film received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom praised the action sequences and acting performances but criticized the storyline . The film grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the 30th film (and the second in the franchise, after Furious 7) to gross over $1 billion, the third highest - grossing film of 2017 and the 12th highest - grossing film of all time . The film grossed $542 million worldwide during its opening weekend, setting the record for the highest - grossing opening of all time, ahead of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($529 million). </P> <P> Dominic "Dom" Toretto and Letty Ortiz are on their honeymoon in Havana when Dom's cousin Fernando gets in trouble owing money to local racer Raldo . Sensing Raldo is a loan shark, Dom challenges Raldo to a race, pitting Fernando's reworked car against Raldo's, and wagering his own show car . After narrowly winning the race, Dom allows Raldo to keep his car, earning his respect, and instead leaves his cousin with his show car . </P>

When did the fate of the furious come out