Last week, news surfaced that Universal Pictures is having difficulties finding a director for Fast & Furious 8, which the studio has set for release on April 14, 2017. The report suggested that Fast & Furious franchise star Vin Diesel is at least partially to blame for the sequel having no director in place yet, claiming the actor/producer is difficult to work with, and that he may be eyeing to direct one of the forthcoming sequels himself. Over the weekend, Vin Diesel took to his Facebook page to issue a statement, revealing that no filmmaker has been given an offer to direct Fast & Furious 8, which will be part of the franchise's last trilogy.
"The fans of the Fast & Furious SAGA are the best fans in the world... Since I became the Producer in 2008, you have been with me every step of the way... literally giving me feedback that proved invaluable. Thank you. My producing partner Neal (H. Moritz) would love for me to just sign off on a director, but this is too special a franchise, so these matters have to be very carefully handled. To be clear, NO ONE has been offered to helm Fast 8 yet... let alone seen a script. Universal has been so good to me and so trusting of the vision... they have been like family... I promised the studio I would deliver one last Trilogy to end the saga. I will announce the directors on my next post..."
Back in March, just before Furious 7 hit theaters, Vin Diesel appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he revealed that Furious 7 starts a new trilogy, and that Fast & Furious 8 will be set in New York City. The actor/producer also teased that Kurt Russell's character, Mr. Nobody, will play an important role in Fast & Furious 8. The actor's comments seem to reveal that Furious 7, Fast & Furious 8 and an unannounced ninth movie will wrap up the franchise for good.
Along with Vin Diesel and Kurt Russell, Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham have confirmed that they'll be back as Hobbs and Ian Shaw, respectfully, but no other cast members have been announced yet. A rumor surfaced in April that the franchise is looking to bring back 2 Fast 2 Furious star Eva Mendes as U.S. Customs agent Monica Fuentes, but that hasn't been confirmed either. Other franchise stars such as Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black are expected to return as well.
It also isn't known yet who is writing the screenplay at this time. Chris Morgan, who wrote The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7, is currently shepherding Universal Pictures' shared monsters universe with Alex Kurtzman, so it isn't known if he will be available to write Fast & Furious 8. Who do you think should direct Fast & Furious 8? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more updates.