The internet is currently abuzz with speculation on who might replace him.
It was just a
few days ago that we reported Vin Diesel celebrated the first day of filming the tenth Fast & Furious 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 Justin Lin, hyping up what to expect from the new installment:
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 as director for the movie.
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.
Lin will remain on as a producer of the movie, and even though he also co-wrote the script for this outing,
Deadline reports that he is stepping away due to creative differences.
Taking to
social media, Lin's statement said:
"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. Over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. 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 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 Vin 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 19 May 2023.
