FAST X (2023): Justin Lin Steps Away As Director For Upcoming Sequel

Justin Lin Walks Away From Directing Fast X

Justin Lin has left directorial duties on the upcoming action film sequel, Fast X, but he will still produce the picture.

It’s one of the biggest action movie tentpoles to be released next year by Universal Pictures. Fast X, however, has lost its director who has walked away from the project for what was most likely creative differences. Filmmaker Justin Lin recently made the last film in the Fast series, F9: The Fast Saga, and was expected to return as the director of the new forthcoming action picture.

While there is a search for a new director to replace Lin, the film’s production (which just recently began) is currently at a stand-still until a replacement is found. Fast X has a release date of May 19, 2023 which seems to still be the scheduled date of the film’s unveiling unless circumstances arise that significantly delay the finding of a new director.

Fast X has been one of the more interesting sequels of late in regards to developments surrounding the casting which have been coming in a “fast and furious” manner. Vin Diesel recently had to secure Jordana Brewster’s place with a nice sized role in the tenth film in the movie series. Also, Jason Momoa and Brie Larson came aboard in a manner which seemed rather too quick and easy for the film’s own good. But, never mind because this is one of the most anticipated pictures of next year and fans are excited at the choices the film has made casting wise however quickly they may have occurred.

Lin’s absence could be felt quite a bit if a film-maker unfamiliar with the franchise is brought in. When the third movie in the series, Lin’s 2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, under performed at the domestic box-office (it earned just $62 million), it seemed to put a nail in these films’ coffin. Lin, however, brought the series back to life when 2009’s Fast & Furious brought back old cast members and scored $155 domestic box office results, thus reviving the franchise.

Lin’s not feeling too bad about his decision knowing he has helped to create one of the more diverse movie franchises of all-time. This movie series will be ending its run with the next two pictures which will soon be made consecutively. Fast X is most likely going to be a huge box-office hit regardless of who directs it unless it’s really someone who doesn’t have a grasp on the material. Lin was a huge part of these pictures’ success stories and, hopefully, Lin’s shoes will be filled by someone with his remarkable talents and abilities.

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