Cardi B joins Fast & Furious 9 cast, fueling mixed reaction online

American rapper Cardi B has joined the cast of Universal's Fast & Furious 9, the tenth installment in The Fast and the Furious film franchise.

The 'Bodak Yellow' hitmaker and former Love & Hip-Hop: New York reality star made her big-screen debut in the current blockbuster Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez. 

The 27-year-old, who headlined the Mount Maunganui festival Bay Dreams in January, revealed her new role in a video shared to Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel's Instagram account on Tuesday (local time).

Diesel posted the clip of himself and Cardi B on set of the 2020 project, captioning the upload: "Last day in the UK! Pa mi gente... #Fast92020 #Fatherhood".

"Day 86 here on the set of Fast 9," Diesel told his 57.9 million followers in the clip.

"I know I'm exhausted. We all gave every single thing we could for this movie, put it all on the table.

"We're so blessed. The last day of filming in the UK, all love always."

Diesel, 52, confirmed the anticipated project will be released in May next year. 

Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, said she "can't wait" for the film's release, sharing: "This is going to be the best one." 

The casting saw a mixed response on Instagram, with a number of Fast & Furious fans claiming they won't be watching the new film.

"I'm done with this movie now that Cardi B is in it. I will not watch it," said one user.

"If she's in that movie, I'm out," commented another.

Others questioned the casting choice, citing the rapper's past controversies. 

The mother-of-one was widely condemned after an old video, in which she admitted to drugging and robbing men while she worked as a stripper, resurfaced online in March. 

Cardi B defended her actions, saying it was necessary for her "to survive".

The reveal also drew positive comments from Cardi's fanbase, who expressed their excitement at seeing her in the upcoming film.

The news follows the announcement that rising Latin music artist Ozuna has also joined the star-studded cast, which sees Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson and Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges reprise their roles in the ongoing series.

Justin Lin, who directed Fast & Furious 6 in 2013, has returned for the movie. A spinoff titled Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw was released in August to mixed reviews.

Newshub.