The internet is currently abuzz with speculation on who might replace him
Universal has been hit with a major movie setback as Fast & Furious 10 director Justin Lin, a long-time figure of the franchise, has stepped down after barely a week of filming.
It was just a few days ago that we reported Vin Diesel celebrating the first day of filming the tenth F&FÂ movie by revealing the project’s title: Fast X.
Things appeared to be going well, with Diesel posting a video a few days later with the movie’s director Lin, hyping up what to expect from the latest instalment:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcqfJkADqkW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
However, on Tuesday of this week, the director took to social media to announce that he would be stepping down from directing the movie after just barely a week of filming.
Lin has previously directed the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth entries in the series, and was expected to also direct the eleventh (and final) movie next year. However, while he is set to remain a producer of the movie and already co-wrote the script for this outing, Deadline reports that he is stepping away due to creative differences.
#FASTX pic.twitter.com/T0w9LuYS0F
— The Fast Saga (@TheFastSaga) April 26, 2022
Taking to social media, Lin’s statement read: “With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of FAST X, while remaining with the project as a producer”, adding that “over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases.”
He went on to state that, “On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history. I will forever be grateful to the amazing cast, crew and studio for their support, and for welcoming me into the FAST family.”
It is reported that the second unit will continue filming while the main production pauses briefly to find Lin’s replacement. Fast & Furious 7 director James Wan is currently making the Aquaman sequel, while Fast 8 – aka The Fate of the Furious – director F. Gary Gray is directing a heist movie titled Lift.
The current frontrunner, according to the internet rumour mill, is D.J. Caruso, who had previously directed Diesel in the third xXx movie, with a fourth reportedly in the works.
Expect Universal to make the announcement of the new director before too long, as Fast X is still currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas on May 19 2023.
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