While Fast & Furious 8 has a confirmed release date, it is still lacking a new director. Meanwhile, many of the original cast minus the dearly departed Paul Walker will be returning. Furious 8 will hit theaters on April 14, 2017.

Theory on Who Will Direct

Considering that Furious 8 is just two years away from release, filming should commence sometime in 2016. That means Universal, which owns the rights to the franchise, will need to find someone to helm the project very soon. Curiously, the studio has yet to name a director.

Rumors have been circulating with various publications. Recently, Entertainment Weekly named four possible candidates for that role. They include Will Eubank, Adam Wingard, F. Gary Gray and Louis Leterrier.

Of the four, the publication rate F. Gary Gray as having a much better chance of winning the director's chair. Gray won recent acclaim for being the vision behind Straight Outta Compton. He has directed other films including The Italian Job and A Man Apart.   

Louis Leterrier came in second. He has helmed projects including Clash of the Titans, Transporter 2 and The Incredible Hulk.

Coming in last are Adam Wingard and Will Eubank. Wingard is better known for his role in You're Next and Netflix's The Guest. Eubank has made The Signal as well as Love, the Angels & Airwaves movie.  

Kurt Russell (a.k.a. Mr. Nobody) May Return

Iconic action star, Kurt Russell, is said to be returning in "Fast and Furious 8." In a cameo appearance in "Furious Seven," Russell starred as the shadowy government agent named Mr. Nobody.

In late March, Vin Diesel said on Jimmy Kimmel Live that Russell will be appearing in a future New York storyline. Kurt was specifically hired in Furious 7 to appear in that scene, Vin Diesel revealed.

Cody Walker May (Or May Not) Have Expanded Role in Furious 8

The brother of actor Paul Walker is rumored to getting his own part in Furious 8. Paul was tragically killed in car crash in 2013, before Furious 7 filming was completed. After a long period of inactivity, filming resumed with brothers Cody and Caleb agreeing to fill in as Paul in some scenes. The movie was completed in record time, and has went on to make $1.32 billion in global earnings .

Rather than killing off Paul Walker's character, Brian O'Connor, showrunners have decided to place him in happy retirement.

Meanwhile, Cody Walker expressed interest to participate in the eight Furious installment as a new character if given the chance. Still, it is not entirely impossible for producers to gloss over anything connected to Brian O'Connor in future installments.

In short, it is difficult to determine whether Cody will be returning.