EXCLUSIVE: With production underway on, Deadline has learned that it is retiring as director of the next Fast and Furious franchise just days after being released.
Lin wrote and directed the film with Dan Mazeau, and will continue to serve as producer. Though the plot was beneficial between two parties, insiders believe that Lin decided to leave the film largely because of creative differences.
Lin reveals his view on his decision to leave the film:
"With the help of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of FAST X, while remaining with the project as a producer. Over ten years and five films, I have been able to film the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. I am forever grateful to the amazing cast, crew, and studio for their support and their welcome to the FAST family."
While the film will continue recording some second unit footage, insiders say production will take a brief pause as executives and producers look to find Lin. A decision on his replacement should be made soon as conversations with some candidates are already underway.
The film has been released for the 19th of May 2023, and insiders claim that they do not anticipate it to go earlier than this time.
Lin has been an architect of the franchise since its third installment on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and then decided to take a break on the next two installments but returned for F9, which became one of the largest films in the post-pandemic period, totaling $1.9 billion at the global box office.
