Fast and Furious 8: Scott Eastwood posts Paul Walker tribute on Instagram

Scott Eastwood called it a “dream come true” after it was announced Monday that he’s joined the next film in the Fast & Furious franchise, sharing a note on Instagram that also included a tribute to Paul Walker.

“It’s hard to put into words how excited I am for the next Fast & Furious,” he wrote. “To me, the series is so much more than just a franchise. It’s a legacy. These great actors who have been in it together for so long have become a family. I absolutely can’t wait to join it.”

About Walker, who died in 2013, Eastwood added, “Paul was a close friend of mine. We surfed together, traveled together, and he was a huge role model and influencing figure in my life when I was younger. He still is. He was an older brother to me. For me to be able to add to the F&F story, Paul’s story, and the FAST family is like a dream come true.”

Eastwood also shared a few details about his character in the upcoming film, which arrives next year.

“Now I can’t say too much, but I get to play a new character who operates under Kurt Russell in the movie, which is incredible, because Kurt was a total childhood hero of mine growing up,” he wrote. “Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy.”

“[Director F.] Gary Gray and [producer] Neal Moritz — I can’t wait to get started and dive in,” Eastwood said. “Vin [Diesel] — thank you for the support and the insight. Paul — I am going to make you proud.”

Fast & Furious 8 will be released on April 14, 2017.