After turning the Fast & Furious franchise into one of the hottest intellectual properties in Hollywood, Justin Lin has decided to depart the series, which leaves the director’s seat open for the taking. Well, that is if Universal will let you have it.
Saw director James Wan is reportedly in talks with Universal to direct The Fast & The Furious 7, with the deal expected to close some time next week.
I’m sad to see Justin Lin leave the series because I credit him for really turning the franchise around and making it blockbuster worthy, especially after 2 Fast 2 Furious started heading down a dangerous path of solidifying the franchise in the big budget B-movie hall of fame.
Let’s hope that James Wan can keep the F&F franchise firing on all cylinders. His only experience so far has been horror films, but a good director should be able to adapt to any genre with ease.
Justin Lin seems happy with the choice to go with James Wan as he states: “I’m extremely proud to be part of the Fast franchise, it is an experience I will always treasure. It’s time for me to move on to other things and I’m thrilled that Universal and [producer Neal H. Morris] have selected James Wan to lead the franchise into its new chapter.”
Fast & Furious 7 is slated to release in 2014 while Fast & Furious 6 hits theaters nationwide on May 24.
– Andrew Chen, AOF Staff Writer and absolute car nut
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