Scott Eastwood to star in 'Fast 8'; says Paul Walker was like an 'older brother'

LOS ANGELES, April 11 (UPI) -- Scott Eastwood will star in the newest Fast and the Furious installment, Fast 8.

The 30-year-old actor announced the news in an Instagram post Monday following word that Mad Max: Fury Road star Charlize Theron will play the main villain in the sequel.

"It's hard to put into words how excited I am for the next Fast & Furious," Eastwood wrote. "To me, the series is so much more than just a franchise. It's a legacy. These great actors who have been in it together so long have become a family. I absolutely can't wait to join it."

"Now I can't say too much, but I get to play a new character who operates under Kurt Russell in the movie, which is incredible, because Kurt was a total childhood hero of mine growing up," he revealed. "Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy."

Eastwood also paid tribute to late actor Paul Walker, who played Brian O'Conner in six Fast and the Furious movies. The actor died in a car crash at age 40 in 2013, prior to Furious 7's release.

"Paul was a close friend of mine," Eastwood said. "We surfed together, traveled together, and he was a huge role model and influencing figure in my life when I was younger. He still is. He was an older brother to me. For me to be able to add to the F&F story, Paul's story, and the Fast family is like a dream come true."

Russell will reprise Mr. Nobody in Fast 8, which opens in theaters April 14, 2017. Vin Diesel will also return as Dominic Toretto, with Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz, Dwayne Johnson as Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw.

Eastwood is the son of Jacelyn Reeves and actor and director Clint Eastwood. His movie credits include Flags of Our Fathers, Invictus and The Longest Ride, and he will next appear in the DC Comics movie Suicide Squad.