Scott Eastwood's tribute to Paul Walker

Scott Eastwood shared a touching tribute to Paul Walker. Photo / Getty Images, AP

Scott Eastwood has posted a heartfelt message following the announcement he is set to star in Fast and Furious 8.

Eastwood took to Instagram to express his excitement for the upcoming film, describing the role as a "dream come true".

"To me, the series is so much more than just a franchise. It's a legacy," he wrote on Instagram.

"These great actors who have been in it together for so long have become a family. I absolutely can't wait to join it."

The 30-year-old took the opportunity to pay tribute to his late friend, Paul Walker, who was killed in a car crash in 2013.

View this post on Instagram

It's hard to put into words how excited I am for the next Fast & Furious. 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. 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. Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy. 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. Gary Gray and Neal Moritz - I can’t wait to get started and dive in. Vin - thank you for the support and the insight. Paul - I am going to make you proud. #F8

A post shared by Scott Eastwood (@scotteastwood) on Apr 11, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Eastwood described the Fast and Furious actor as a "huge role model and influencing figure".

"Paul was a close friend of mine... 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."

"Paul - I am going to make you proud."

The announcement comes only days after the franchise shared the news actress Charlize Theron had been cast in the film set to be released in 2017.

Eastwood remained tight-lipped about the film but revealed his character will operates under Kurt Russell, a "total childhood hero of mine growing up".

"Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy," Eastwood added.

Fast and Furious 8 is due to hit theatres on April 14, 2017.

- AAP