Fast X, the tenth and second-to-final film in the Fast & Furious film franchise, would’ve been the fifth flick filmed by director Justin Lin. The director is, however, stepping back from this last entry, he announced via a post on the official Fast Saga Twitter.
“With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as the director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer,” Lin said. “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.”
Fast X began production just last week. Neither Lin nor the studio have yet commented on the reasoning behind his departure. However, series star Vin Diesel seems to be exercising more control over the series as time goes on. Dwayne Johnson left the series after a feud with Diesel, and says there’s “no chance” he’ll be returning after what Diesel described as tough love. And then on Instagram last week, Diesel said in a post addressed to fans that Mia Toretto, played by Jordana Brewster throughout the series, was not in the first draft of the script.
“You will never believe who corrected the very important role of Mia… my daughter, the Alpha Angel [referring to daughter Hania], who told the director very plainly and honestly, “No Mia No Fast 10!” Diesel wrote. “The irony is, the day she was born I was filming with Jordanna and Pablo [Paul Walker] and it was Jordanna [sic] who I first told… profound right?”
While Lin and Johnson are out, Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson recently joined the cast. Fast X is currently set to open sometime in May 2023.
