‘Fast and Furious 8’ Wants to Shoot in Cuba (EXCLUSIVE)

While plans are still being worked out, Variety has learned that the studio behind the hugely popular series wants to shoot part of the eighth film in the “Fast and Furious” series in Cuba. The filmmakers have made a research trip to the country to look at possible locations, though an insider cautions that things are in the exploratory phase.

“Universal Pictures is currently in the process of seeking approval from the United States and Cuban governments to explore shooting a portion of the next installment of the ‘Fast & Furious’ series in Cuba,” a spokeswoman for the studio said.

Exotic locales are a staple of the “Fast and Furious” films, with previous chapters unfolding in the likes of Dubai and Rio. The setting is also advantageous because the series has an avid Hispanic audience.

The move comes as Hollywood companies are looking for ways to gain a foothold in the Latin American nation following the Obama administration’s move to normalize relations with Cuba. Since a decades-long trade embargo was lifted, Conan O’Brien has shot episodes of his latenight program in Havana, Showtime’s “House of Lies” has announced plans to film parts of its fifth season in the country, and Vanity Fair sent Rihanna and photographer Annie Leibovitz down to the communist nation to get footage of the pop star giving sultry stares while idling by Eisenhower-era cars. Netflix has also announced plans to launch a streaming service in the country, despite its poor internet connectivity.

“Cuba is a land that many know about, but few have seen,” said John Kavulich, senior policy adviser to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council. “These productions are hoping to capitalize on the increased interest in Cuba.”

So far nothing has hit Cuba on the size and scale of a “Fast and Furious” movie, which are known for their gravity-defying stunts and screen-flooding explosions. The only previous Hollywood shoot in Cuba was a small indie starring Giovanni Ribisi called “Papa,” which was set during the Cuban Revolution.

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