The girls might actually outnumber the guys in Fast & Furious 7. The Vin Diesel/Paul Walker franchise that's based around car racing has been traditionally thought of as a series of guy movies, but they've got a lot of ass-kicking ladies. Ultimate Fighting Champion Ronda Rousey may be the latest to join the Fast & Furious team. The Fast & Furious films already have a core group of women, made up of Michelle Rodriguez's Letty, Jordana Brewster's Mia, and Elsa Pataky, who joined the crew in Fast 5. The most recent film, Fast & Furious 6, also featured MMA fighter Gina Carano.
Not a bad roster of women for an action movie, huh? Usually if a wrestler were cast in a film I'd be a little nervous and doubt their acting ability (no offense, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), but let's be honest, it doesn't really matter in the Fast & Furious movies. If Rousey can get into a convincing fight, which her UFC championship says she can, and drive a car, she's golden.
Not to mention, female fighters deserve a shot at the real recognition the way many of their male counterparts receive. The best known female wrestler right now is Stacy Keibler, and that's because she dated George Clooney. Hopefully Rousey and Carano can gain some Hollywood fame, and Keibler can keep hers going post-breakup. It sounds strange, but female fighters are great role models for young girls to have. They promote a healthy, strong, and more athletic body image, rather than the rail-thin one usually found in movies and on magazine covers.
Let's hope that Rousey's casting is confirmed soon, and that she stands out in Fast & Furious 7. Maybe then, more action films and franchises will follow suit and showcase some truly strong women.
