'Furious 8' Plot Could Take The Gang To Cuba As Well As New York City in 2017

Now that the U.S. and Cuba have better trade relations than they’ve had in decades, one franchise that prides itself on featuring exciting and exotic locations is eyeing the country for its next movie. The highly anticipated eighth installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise is reportedly in negotiations to film part of the movie on the island, despite its previously revealed primary location.

Following the film franchise’s latest installment “Furious 7” winning favorite action movie at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards, where the films principal star Vin Diesel gave an emotional acceptance speech, news broke from Variety that the newest movie is in the very early stages of trying to secure permission to film in Cuba.

In 2015, the United States re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba after severing ties with the country more than five decades ago. This loosened travel and trade restrictions with the country, opening the door for U.S. companies to film in Cuba. The “Fast and the Furious” franchise is known for putting Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and his family of fast-driving criminals in exotic locations such as Rio and Dubai. It would fit the film’s style perfectly to bring the characters to Cuba in the newest installment, but it would conflict with the previously announced film setting of New York City.

The film, scheduled to hit theaters on April 14, 2017, will send the gang to the traffic-filled streets of the Big Apple, which the cast confirmed shortly after “Furious 7” hit theaters.

As previously reported, Diesel says that the New York location is special to the franchise as the original “Fast and the Furious” movie made in 2001 was based on an article from Vibe about the life of street racers in New York. When the filmmakers decided to make the story into an action movie, the setting was switched to L.A. instead.

“So we’re finally bringing it back home, baby!” the 48-year-old actor told “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon in October. Now it seems as though the film’s script may split its attention between New York City and another location like Cuba.

What are your thoughts on the “Furious 8” crew making its way to both Cuba and New York City in the upcoming film? Comment below or tweet your thoughts to @TylerMcCarthy.