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Universal Pictures' "The Fast and the Furious 2," producer Neal Moritz's follow-up to the Summer 2001 box office sensation -- the first film ever to depict the super-charged world of street racing -- has begun principal photography in Miami. Oscar(R)-nominated filmmaker John Singleton ("Baby Boy," "Boyz N The Hood") directs a hot young cast that includes returning star Paul Walker ("The Fast and the Furious"), as well as Tyrese ("Baby Boy"), Eva Mendes ("Training Day"), Cole Hauser ("Tigerland"), Ludacris ("The Bros."), James Remar ("What Lies Beneath"), Thom Barry ("The Fast and the Furious") and newcomer Devon Aoki. A whole new line-up of dazzling high performance vehicles will also burn up the screen in "The Fast and the Furious 2." The film is scheduled for a June 2003 release.

Paul Walker reprises his role as former cop Brian O'Conner, who teams up with his ex-con pal Roman Pearce (Tyrese) to transport a shipment of "dirty" money for a shady Miami-based import-export dealer (Cole Hauser), while actually working with an undercover agent (Eva Mendes) to bring the dealer down.

Neal H. Moritz ("The Fast and the Furious") is producing "The Fast and the Furious 2" from a screenplay by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. Lee R. Mayes and Michael Fottrell are the executive producers. Singleton's behind-the-camera team includes production designer Keith Brian Burns ("Poetic Justice"), editor Bruce Cannon ("Boyz N the Hood") and composer David Arnold ("Shaft"), all veterans of the "Baby Boy" shoot. Matt Leonetti ("Rush Hour 2") is Singleton's director of photography on "The Fast and the Furious 2" and Sanja M. Hays ("The Fast and the Furious," "XXX") is the costume designer.

Craig Lieberman, the Import Car Consultant on "The Fast and the Furious," returns as the sequel's technical advisor. David Marder, transportation coordinator on "The Fast and the Furious," is the production supervisor on the new film. Returning stunt players include Oakley Lehman, Kevin Jackson and Debbie Evans, who won the World Stunt Award for Best Vehicular Action Sequence by a Woman in "The Fast and the Furious."

Since his star-making role in "The Fast and the Furious," Paul Walker has finished production on director Richard Donner's "Timeline," a film adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel. He was also seen in the thriller "Joy Ride" opposite Steve Zahn and Leelee Sobieski. His earlier film credits include "The Skulls," "Varsity Blues," "Pleasantville" and "She's All That."

Recording artist, actor and model Tyrese Gibson reunites with Singleton in "The Fast and the Furious 2" after making his feature film debut in Singleton's "Baby Boy." He can be seen in the film "Basic" next year. A chart-topping R & B/pop star, Tyrese recently released his second album, "2000 WATTS," which has produced hit singles including "I Like Them Girls." His self-titled debut 1998 album included the hits "Sweet Lady" and "Lately."

Before taking on her role as an undercover agent in "The Fast and the Furious 2," Eva Mendes completed filming "Out of Time" opposite Denzel Washington for director Carl Franklin. She can be seen in director Robert Rodriguez's "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" opposite Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp next year. Her previous credits include the blockbuster hit "Training Day," as well as "All About the Benjamins," "Urban Legends: Final Cut" and "Exit Wounds."

Producer, director and screenwriter John Singleton most recently wrote, produced and directed "Baby Boy" starring Tyrese, and "Shaft" starring Samuel L. Jackson. With his first film, "Boyz N the Hood" in 1991, he earned Oscar(R) nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, making him the first African-American (and the youngest filmmaker ever) to do so. He has also directed "Rosewood"; he produced and directed "Higher Learning," and he wrote, produced and directed "Poetic Justice."

Neal H. Moritz is the owner of Original Film, an established feature film, television, commercial and music video production company. Moritz produced this summer's "Sweet Home Alabama" starring Reese Witherspoon as well as the blockbuster hit "XXX," and last year's $145 million-plus sleeper hit "The Fast and the Furious." His other credits include "Not Another Teen Movie," "Slackers," "Volcano," "Blue Streak," "Saving Silverman," "The Glass House," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," "Urban Legend" and "Cruel Intentions" as well as many others. He is currently producing "Torque" and the Denzel Washington thriller "Out of Time." He will start filming "S.W.A.T." later this year.

SOURCE: Universal Pictures