Justin Lin Drops Out From Directing Fast X A Week After Production Started

Justin Lin has dropped out from directing Fast X, but he will stay on as the producer on the latest Fast & Furious sequel.  

Lin, 50, made the announcement on social media, with a post that 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.

“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.”

News of Lin’s departure came arrived a week after the unveiling of the 10th Fast & Furious instalment’s official title and barely days after star and producer Vin Diesel posted a 19-sec video on Instagram recapping the first week of production on Fast X, that began on Apr 20.

In the clip, Diesel asks Lin how he felt about the first week of production. "It feels like the beginning of, uh, of an epic ending," Lin replies lukewarmly. (Looking at it now, it felt that he knew something was amiss. ) 

Lin’s exit was said to be “amicable” and attributed to “creative differences.” 

Fast X will star franchise regulars Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmaunel, and Charlize Theron, as well as new players Michael Rooker, Jason Momoa, Brie Larson and Daniela Melchior.

Fast X is the first of a two-part finale and is slated to open worldwide in May 2023.

Lin has five Fast & Furious movies under his belt — 2006’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, 2009’s Fast & Furious, 2011’s Fast Five, 2013’s Furious 6 and last year’s Fast 9: The Fast Saga. 2015’s Furious 7 and 2017’s The Fate of the Furious were helmed by James Wan and F Gary Gary, respectively.

Variety reported that the production on the main unit is temporarily suspended while the studio searches for Lin’s replacement director, while the second unit continues filming. No word on whether Lin will sit out on directing the follow-up to Fast X as well.

Photo: TPG News/Click Photos