Rita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher; Vin Diesel.Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock; Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Sounds likeRita Morenohas a very special family member to thank for her upcoming role inFast X!
Fisher told the outlet that he “caught up” and “grabbed drinks” withFast & Furiouslegacy star and producerVin Dieselfollowing the 2021 premiere ofWest Side Story— and the rest is history.
“He’s so fond of my grandma,” Fisher toldETof Diesel, 55. “I told him, ‘You should work with her. Youshould have her be your grandma, have her slap you upside the head. Have her have a little tone, because you know her: It’s all tone.’ "
“It was my idea to get her inFast and Furious 10,” Fisher also said, while his grandma later joked that she should give him a cut of her paycheck.
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Rita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Diesel shared the news of Moreno’s casting on Instagram in May 2022, postinga selfie-style videoof himself with the legendary actress and longtime costarMichelle Rodriguez.
“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. I’m so blessed,” Diesel said in the video.
And the sentiment is mutual. As Moreno joked to Diesel on camera, “I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me.”
“Isn’t that nice? And I’m here,” she added. “Andthe answer is, ‘Yes, I’ll do it.‘And not only do it — I’m tickled.”
“I’m so thrilled. This is gonna be such fun,” Moreno concluded.
Meanwhile, Fisher was among the close friends and family ata surprise 91st birthday party for Morenothis past December.
And Moreno “was absolutely surprised” at the gathering, Gordon told PEOPLE, as “she thought that she was coming upstairs just to see a new light fixture — she didn’t realize thatthe place would be full of friends.”
“She had said to me previously how much she wished she could celebrate her birthday in her new home but she just didn’t see how to make it happen, so she was thrilled that I made it happen,” Gordon added.
Fast Xis scheduled for a theatrical release on May 19, while80 for Bradyis in theaters Friday.
source: people.com
