Justin Lin Reportedly In Talks To Direct Multi-Film FAST AND FURIOUS Finale

According to Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr., if the talks go well, Lin, who took over the franchise between the third and the sixth film, would be on deck to direct multiple consecutive movies that would ultimately wave the checkered flag and end the saga for good. The news has always been brewing for a long time with the possibility of multiple trilogies, even dating back when the franchise’s lead actor, Vin Diesel, boarded the property as a producer for 2009’s Fast And Furious; Those plans were temporarily stifled last year as filming was underway for the then-titled Fast And Furious 7 upon the off-set accidental death of one of its most beloved lead actors, Paul Walker, who had been with the franchise with Diesel in almost every film since the beginning. Thankfully, the seventh film managed completion under its new title, Furious 7, specifically tweaked in a way that will allow the late Walker‘s character, “Brian O’Connor”, to retire from the story as the franchise continues.

Aside from hoping Rob Cohen would return to the franchise in some way after delivering such a successful first film back in 2002, it’s certainly fitting to see Lin back in the throes of the franchise once again. I wrote an epic editorial last year paying homage to his contribution to the franchise in its ever-growing and successful state prior to his departure onto other film and television ventures before horror director James Wan was brought on board for the seventh film. As such, with an eighth consecutive installment unlikely after all that has happened, today’s news has certainly opened the doors for curiousity as to how this epic story of modern-day road warriors will continue. Of course, without Walker, that journey may be bittersweet for many, but there’s plenty of reason to stay excited nonetheless before and after Furious 7 releases in theaters and IMAX on April 3, 2015, especially after its eventful first teaser now online.

Aside from Diesel and the other actors busy with other gigs, Lin, too has had a number of projects he’s been tied to in the past couple of years. The two biggest ones thusfar include his involvement in a yet-to-be-determined 2016 follow-up to The Bourne Legacy with actor Jeremy Renner returning to star, as well as his upcoming remake of the Jet Li 182 kung fu classic, Shaolin Temple 3D.

Things are up in the air and will be for a while, so stay tuned for more info!

H/T: Deadline