Michael Rooker to Join “Fast & Furious” Cast

Michael Rooker at the "Triple 9" film premiere, Los Angeles, Feb 2016. Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (5587708dt)

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Jason Statham may not be returning to their roles in the next Fast & Furious film (the 9th in the franchise) after branching out with Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, but the hit franchise is recruiting new names to the Toretto family.

The newest addition to the cast, as reported in Deadline, is Michael Rooker, who is known for his portrayal of Merle in The Walking Dead and Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

No details are known about Rooker’s role in the new film apart from his character’s name – Buddy, but it’s safe to guess Rooker will have a good chemistry with the film star Vin Diesel, who played alongside him in Guardians.

Two more new additions to the cast are UFC fighter Francis Ngannou and pro wrestling star John Cena.

It was also revealed that Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren, who joined the cast in the previous film, Fate of the Furious, will return to the new one as well. Also set to return are Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Jordana Brewster.