Helen Mirren is close to a deal to join the star-studded cast of "Fast 8," the eight installment in the action-packed "Fast and Furious" franchise.

The 70-year-old actress confirmed the news during a sit-down interview with Elle magazine for the promotion of her film, "Eye in the Sky," a 2015 British thriller, in which she plays a military commander who grapples with drone warfare after she is tasked with the mission to eliminate high-value terrorists in Kenya

Like Us on Facebook

"Yes, I am," Mirren said, when asked about whether she's going to feature in the upcoming film. "I've always rather loved driving. I said, 'I'll be in it, but only if I'm allowed to drive if I do drive in it. But we'll see. We'll see how it transpires."

The details of Mirren's character in the film have been kept under wraps but this marks her first major role in an action flick since 2013's "Red 2," in which she starred alongside Bruce Willis and John Malkovich.

The news of Mirren's casting comes months after Charlize Theron boarded the project as the villain.

"Fast 8," directed by "Straight Outta Compton" director F. Gary Gray, also stars original castmembers Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and Elsa Pataky. Jason Statham, Kurt Russell and Nathalie Emmanuel, who featured in last year's "Furious 7," will also return to star alongside newcomers Scott Eastwood and Theron.

The plot details have not yet been revealed but production on the film is already underway. The filming locations include Cleveland, New York Atlanta, Cuba and Iceland.

"Fast 8" is slated to zoom into theaters on April 14, 2017 and will be the first film in a trilogy that takes the franchise forward without Paul Walker.

TagsFast 8, Fast and Furious 8, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, Fast and Furious