Start your engines, Fast and Furious fans. Oscar-winner Rita Moreno (West Side Story) is officially part of the franchise’s family.
Franchise star Vin Diesel broke the news Tuesday morning (May 24) when he posted a video alongside co-star Michelle Rodriguez and Moreno, who will play the grandmother of Diesel’s character Dominic “Dom” Toretto in the upcoming sequel Fast X.
It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno,” Diesel said in the video with Moreno and Rodriguez flanking him on both sides. “And the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile. I am so blessed.”
Moreno, who turned 90 years old in December, then looked into the camera to offer her thoughts on joining the Fast and Furious franchise and how she can’t wait to share the screen with her new co-stars.
“I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me,” Moreno told Diesel. “Isn’t that nice? And I’m here. And the answer is, ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’ Not only do it, I’m tickled. I’m so thrilled. This is gonna be such fun.”
Rodriguez, who plays Letty Ortiz, let out a boisterous laugh and Diesel put his hand to his chest and smiled hearing those words from Moreno. “Thank you so much,” Diesel said. “I love you!”
Rodriguez added: “Rita Moreno in the house, baby!”
Now that Moreno is part of the Fast and Furious family, there’s no doubt that Dom Toretto is Latine. If you didn’t believe it when last year’s F9 featured actor J.D. Pardo (Mayans M.C.) playing Dom’s father Jack in flashback scenes, there’s no denying it now.
The only question now is, can we get Rita Moreno behind the wheel of a souped-up 1970s Dodge Charger? Crossing our fingers that this becomes a reality!
