Fast X Sets Director Louis Leterrier As Frontrunner To Replace Justin Lin

gamerant.com:

Almost a week after Justin Lin stepped down from his role as the director of Fast X, Louis Leterrier is reportedly Universal's top choice to helm the tenth Fast and Furious film.

Having directed five of the nine previous Fast and Furious films, Lin was already in the midst of production on Fast X when he unexpectedly announced he was exiting the project as director. While an official reason for his departure was not confirmed, reports and rumours suggest creative differences with Fast X lead Vin Diesel were behind Lin's exit.

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Now, Deadline reports Leterrier is the frontrunner to replace Lin as the director of Fast X.However, a deal between Universal and Leterrier has yet to be closed because scheduling still needs to be worked out with some of the director's other projects. The outlet's sources say Leterrier was quickly put at the top of the list of potential filmmakers to approach about replacing Lin, noting that Leterrier has a great relationship with Universal chief Donna Langley. Production on Fast X had to take a brief pause once Lin left, but Universal will reportedly have no problems meeting the May 2023 release date once the deal with Leterrier is finalized.

Although Lin left Fast X over creative differences, the split was said to be amicable, and second unit footage was still shot during the production hiatus. Despite leaving the director's chair, Lin will remain onboard Fast X as a producer, serving in the role alongside Diesel, Neal Moritz, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Samantha Vincent. Lin also co-wrote the Fast X script with Dan Mazeau, the latter of whom is making their Fast and Furious franchise debut with this 10th installment.

Leterrier is no stranger to directing