Charlize Theron cast as villain in 'Fast 8'

Los Angeles: Actress Charlize Theron has joined the cast of upcoming action film "Fast 8", the next instalment in the popular "The Fast and Furious" franchise.

Details behind Theron's character are still kept under the wraps, but she is likely to be playing a villainous character, reports variety.com.

Charlize Theron. Pic/Santa Banta

Universal Studios roped in Theron early for the role, but because the script was still being written, she did not want to commit to anything until a finished draft was completed.

Even after the script was finished and Theron was happy with the end result, she still had to weigh her options as the actress was also attached to star in spy thriller "The Grey Man".

"Fast 8" begins production this summer. Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Tyrese Gibson and Michelle Rodriguez will reprise their roles.

Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film is scheduled to release on April 14, 2017.