In the first major casting for the next installment of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Ultimate Fighting Champion Ronda Rousey is ready to take her talents to the big screen landing a supporting role in “Fast & Furious 7.”
Rousey has just started negotiations to join the cast of “Fast & Furious 7” but if it closes, it would be the first major role cast for the next installment in the franchise.
The film is gearing up with the plan to start shooting this fall, and Rousey would move training for her next fight to Atlanta where the film is set to shoot.
“Fast & Furious 7” brings back most of its talent including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, producer Neal H. Moritz and writer Chris Morgan with James Wan coming on as director.
Moritz and Diesel return as producers.
No plot details have been unveiled yet except that the film will return to Los Angeles after the previous five films were set in other locations. Co-President of Production Jeff Kirschenbaum and Creative Executive Jay Polidoro will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.
“Fast & Furious 6” is the highest grossing film for Universal having made more than $740 million worldwide and the studio sees this as a major priority.
This marks her second role in as many weeks having also committed to a part in “The Expendables 3.” Given that both films are heavy on action, the films will work to Rousey’s advantage given her skill set as a fighter similar to how Gina Carano made her transition from mixed martial arts fighting to acting.
The idea is that Rousey would shoot both films back to back in order to finish in time to meet the time needed to focus on training for her next fight. She has a championship rematch on Dec. 28 with Mischa Tate and needs 45 days where she is only training for the fight.
If all goes according to plan she should finish shooting and have enough time to jump right into training. Sources say she will get some help as some of her team will meet her in Bulgaria during the “Expendables 3” shoot so that she is able to stay in fighting shape as well as in Atlanta.
Rousey is repped by WME, Fight Tribe management and attorney Dave Feldman.
