<P> At the 2015 CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Diesel announced the film for an April 14, 2017 release date . On August 16, 2015, at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards (where Furious 7 received the award for Choice Movie--Action and Walker received the award for Choice Movie Actor--Action), Diesel gave the film the initial title Fast 8 . In September 2015, Diesel stated that the script had almost been completed, and expressed interest in Rob Cohen, who directed the first film, to direct the eighth installment . On October 14, 2015, Diesel announced on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray would direct the film . </P> <P> In July 2015, Moritz said that Walker's character, Brian O'Conner, would not appear in the film, following the use of CGI in the previous film after Walker died in a single - vehicle accident on November 30, 2013, with Moritz stating that his character had "moved on". It had previously been reported that Paul's younger brother, Cody Walker, would either join the cast in a new role, or replace his older brother in the role of O'Conner; however, it was later announced that the character will not return to the franchise . Moritz also said that the film would shift the focus of the franchise from a series of heist films to a spy caper, following a similar change in focus from street racing in Fast Five (2011). In December 2016, the film was retitled The Fate of the Furious . </P> <P> Diesel, Russell and Michelle Rodriguez were the first to confirm their involvement in the film, and Tyrese Gibson and Chris Bridges both confirmed their return soon after . Lucas Black had signed on to reprise his role from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift as Sean Boswell for Furious 7, and two more installments in September 2013, though he did not appear in Fate . In May 2015, Dwayne Johnson confirmed his involvement in the film, additionally hinting at a possible spin - off film involving his character, Luke Hobbs . Jason Statham also confirmed his return . In April 2016, Charlize Theron and Kristofer Hivju were confirmed as additions to the cast, in villainous roles, while Scott Eastwood also joined the film as a law enforcement agent . On May 17, 2016, Diesel posted a photo on his Instagram page of himself and Elsa Pataky on set, indicating that she had also returned for the film, and was followed two days later by a video on set with Nathalie Emmanuel, who also starred in the previous film . In June 2016, Helen Mirren announced in an interview with Elle that she would appear in the film . In July 2016, Don Omar tweeted that he and Tego Calderon would return to the franchise for the eighth picture . During an interview with Chris Mannix on July 21, 2016, Lucas Black confirmed he would not appear in the eighth installment, due to scheduling conflicts . </P> <P> In keeping with the franchise's penchant for filming in "exotic" locations, such as Dubai and Rio de Janeiro, in January 2016 it was announced that Universal was seeking approval from the United States and Cuban governments to shoot part of the film in Cuba . Principal photography began on March 14, 2016, in Mývatn, Iceland, where strong winds sent a plastic iceberg prop flying into a paddock . The prop struck two horses: one was wounded and the other mortally injured; it was later euthanized . In late April, filming began in Cuba's capital city, Havana . In May, filming also took place in Cleveland, Ohio . Franchise cinematographer Stephen F. Windon returned for the eighth installment . Filming also took place in Atlanta and New York City . </P>

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