Rita Moreno to Play Vin Diesel’s Grandmother in ‘Fast X’

J. Kim Murphy Jennifer Hudson has achieved the rarified status of EGOT with her Tony win for producing “A Strange Loop.”The awards gauntlet lingo of “EGOT” refers to individuals who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony over the course of their careers in entertainment.

She’s back on Broadway! Ariana DeBose, who got her start acting on the Great White Way, has since become a massive movie star — even winning an Oscar. Now, she’s returning to her theatrical roots as the host of the 75th annual Tony Awards.

Fast X has only gone and signed up the legend that is Rita Moreno for a role. One of the last remaining faces from Hollywood's Golden Age, the Puerto Rican starred in iconic films like the original West Side Story (as well as Steven Spielberg's remake), The King and I and Singin' in the Rain.

announced the news Tuesday in an Instagram video, sitting between 90-year-old Moreno and co-star Michelle Rodriguez, 43.“It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile,” Diesel said of the “West Side Story” legend, who will play the grandma of Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto. “I’m so blessed.”Moreno gladly accepted the role.“You know what? I think I was getting … I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me.

Rita Moreno has joined the cast of Fast X!

EGOT winner Rita Moreno (West Side Story) has joined the cast of Fast X, as the grandmother of Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto, Deadline can confirm. She joins an ensemble that also includes Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Alan Ritchson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Daniela Melchior, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Ludacris, Cardi B and Scott Eastwood, as previously announced.

Instagram Tuesday, showing that Moreno is on set now for the film currently in production. “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile,” Diesel said in the video.“I think my old age was waiting for you to ask me, isn’t that nice, and I’m here, the answer is yes, I’ll do it, and not only I’ll do it, I am tickled,” she responded. “Fast X” will open in theaters May 19, 2023.

Jason Momoa wanted Amber Heard to reprise her role as Mera in “Aquaman 2”, according to new testimony in the defamation trial brought against Heard by her ex-husband Johnny Depp.

Amber Heard allegedly has Jason Momoa to thank for keeping her role in, according to industry expert Kathryn Arnold.Arnold testified in court on Monday during day 20 of Johnny Depp's lawsuit against his ex-wife, where she claimed that Heard's role had been diminished in the second movie, and testified that this usually wouldn't be the case if an actress was a success in the first film. Heard was paid $1 million for the first film, and was set to be paid $2 million for the second. However, after Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, called Heard's claims of abuse a «hoax,» Arnold claims that Heard suffered significant career damage.Arnold further claims that Heard's salary for the second movie could have been higher if not for the statements made by Waldman, and she has not been involved in the promotion for the new film — which ultimately hurts her career as well.Arnold claims that Momoa was able to renegotiate his salary for the second film to $15 million, up from $3 million which he got for the first, but Heard never got a similar opportunity for that sort of financial bump.

The next “Fast and Furious” movie is officially in production, and Vin Diesel is excited.

Scott Eastwood is returning to the Fast & Furious franchise!

Fate of the Furious alum Scott Eastwood will return to the Fast & Furious franchise, as part of the cast of Fast X, Deadline can confirm. He joins an ensemble that also includes Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Alan Ritchson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Daniela Melchior, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Ludacris and Cardi B, as previously announced.

“There is indeed a place for us,” Ariana DeBose said on the Oscar stage back in March. As the first Afro Latina and the first openly queer woman of color to win, she addressed her acceptance speech—for her role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story—to those who have ever questioned their identity and find themselves in “the gray spaces”. In the audience that night the 90-year-old Rita Moreno was in tears. Having played Anita 60 years earlier, she had been the first Latina ever to win an acting Oscar.

Dan Rather, whose broadcast journalism career has spanned six decades including being anchor of CBS Evening News from 1982-2006, has been given the Peabody Career Achievement Award.

J. Kim Murphy Dan Rather has received the Peabody career achievement award, with Dolly Parton presenting the broadcast journalist with the honors.

Jason Momoa is wrapping up his time in Rome!

Alan Ritchson is joining the Fast & Furious franchise!