Vin Diesel wants Justin Lin back to direct the final Fast & Furious film

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

Even though the FAST & FURIOUS franchise is a box-office juggernaut at the moment, that wasn't always the case. Following the release of 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS, former Universal executive Jeff Kirschenbaum said that "the franchise was at a point where we were talking about going direct to video." Enter Justin Lin, who successfully pitched his vision for the franchise to Universal and was able to bring Vin Diesel back on-board. Lin would go on to helm THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, FAST & FURIOUS, FAST FIVE, and FAST & FURIOUS SIX, each more profitable than the last.

FAST 8 is currently in production under the direction of F. Gary Gray (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) but with two more sequels on the way, there's a question of who will helm the final films in the FAST & FURIOUS franchise. In a recent Wired article focusing on Justin Lin, a short quote from Vin Diesel makes it clear that he'd love for Lin to return to the franchise.

I’m going to bring him back. Whenever we had a day off—even on Thanksgiving, his favorite holiday—it was Justin and me working on how far we could take it. Success comes from 10 years of that mentality.

When asked whether his return was possible, Lin said that "Vin says you finish what you started, and he’s very persuasive.” Quite true, Vin Diesel usually seems to get what he wants. Even though Vin and Universal are labeling the next three films as the conclusion of the FAST & FURIOUS saga, it likely won't be the last we see of fast cars and fast heists as Universal has a handful of FAST & FURIOUS spin-offs in the works. While Vin Diesel courts Justin Lin to return, the director is currently putting the finishing touches on STAR TREK BEYOND, which hits theaters on July 22, 2016.

Would you like to see Justin Lin return for more FAST & FURIOUS or would you prefer to see new directors put their stamp on the franchise?