Fast & Furious 7: Will UFC champ Ronda Rousey join cast?
UFC champion Ronda Rousey is in negotiations to join the cast of "Fast & Furious 7," Universal Pictures has confirmed to TheWrap.
Rousey, who will soon begin filming "The Expendables 3," is nearing a deal for a minor supporting role that will showcase her fighting skills. Should the deal close, Rousey would represent the first new addition to the blockbuster franchise.
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.
Neal Moritz is producing through his Original Film banner. Chris Morgan wrote the script. Production is scheduled to start this fall in Atlanta, though "Fast & Furious 7" will be set in Los Angeles, where the first movie took place.
Justin Lin's "Fast & Furious 6" grossed more than $740 million worldwide, making another installment in the series a top priority for Universal.
Rousey is the latest UFC fighter to make the jump to the bigscreen, following in Gina Carano's trailblazing footsteps. Carano's performance in Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire" led to her casting in "Fast & Furious 6."
Rousey plans to stay in fighting shape while shooting "Expendables 3" and "Fast & Furious 7" back-to-back before her Dec. 28 UFC championship rematch with Mischa Tate. She's repped by WME.
Rousey's casting was first reported by Variety.
