After receiving an offer last week, Variety confirms that Luke Evans will play the villain in Fast Six, or Fast and Furious 6, opposite mainstays Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Fast Five addition Dwayne Johnson.
Twitch initially broke the news of Evans’ negotiations, but the star of the recently released period thriller The Raven wasn’t sure if his remaining work on The Hobbit films would interfere with the start of production on Fast Six. That has all been smoothed over now as the actor will finish his role as Bard the Bowman for Peter Jackson and head immediately to work with Fast Six director Justin Lin.
News of Evans’ casting also brings forth a few plot details regarding the sixth installment of this racing/heist action franchise. The film will reportedly take place overseas with Dom and Brian’s crew attempting a heist, shock of all shocks. Evans will play the leader of another crew trying to pull off the same job.
Evans joins a fast-growing cast that includes Haywire star Gina Carano and possibly even Rihanna. Michelle Rodriguez will also return after it was revealed her character is in fact alive and kicking it in Europe, where this next installment is to take place.
With roles in The Three Musketeers and Immortals last year and now taking a role that Universal initially eyed Jason Statham for, Evans looks to be an action star on the rise.
Fast and Furious 6 comes out May 24, 2013.