Fast X has just lost its strongest Avenger.
Justin Lin, who was instrumental in evolving The Fast Saga beyond street racing, has stepped away as director on the tenth film, which for some reason is titled Fast X and not Fas10 Furious.
The tenth film recently began filming, so Universal is currently hard at work to quickly find a replacement. According to Deadline, Lin will remain on board as a producer. Sources say that the split was amicable, but that creative differences got in the way. Something tells me franchise star Vin Diesel had something to do with it.
Here’s the official statement from Lin that was released on the official Fast Saga Instragram account:
“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.”
Lin joined the franchise with 2006’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (arguably the most underrated film in the series) and stuck with the franchise for the next three sequels before departing. He came back to helm 2021’s F9 and was planning on directing both Fast X and the untitled eleventh film. It is unknown if he will still direct Fast 11, but I honestly doubt it.
As of now, Fast X is still set to hit theaters on May 19, 2023.
Who do you think should direct Fast X?
