Saw creator James Wan will take over the Fast & Furious series as Justin Lin quits the franchise, according to reports.
Lin has directed four consecutive Fast & Furious films with the latest, Fast & Furious 6, due for release next month. Lin revitalised the franchise, increasing its box office revenue and critical praise substantially.
Deadline.com is reporting that Universal Pictures has begun negotiations with Wan and expect a deal will be made before the end of the week.
Lin has confirmed the report by releasing a statement.
"I'm extremely proud to be part of the Fast franchise, it is an experience I will always treasure," says Lin.
"It's time for me to move on to other things and I'm thrilled that Universal [producer Neal H Morris] have selected James Wan to lead the franchise into its new chapter."
Wan shot to fame in 2004 by directing and co-writing Saw, an R-rated horror that launched a highly successful franchise. He has since directed Death Sentence, Insidious and The Conjuring.
According to reports, Lin left the series because Universal wanted to produce the next film faster than he did, with a plan to have it in cinemas next year.
Wan was chosen from a shortlist that also reportedly included Baltazar Kormakur (Contraband), Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2) and Harold Zwart (The Karate Kid).
3 News
source: newshub archive
