Following the shocking departure of Justin Lin from the director's driver's seat of Fast X, there has naturally been speculation about who might fill his spot. Now, according to reports, Now You See Me and Transporter veteran Louis Leterrier appears to be the studio's choice for the job.
With the film's first unit shut down in the UK (second unit – stunts, etc has continued), Fast X was costing Universal a great deal of money with zero results. Leterrier is considered a safe pair of hands, given his action movie credentials.
Universal has made no official comment on the matter, but the deal is apparently being hammered out now, with the intent being getting the latest Fast movie back on track (especially since it has a 19 May release date still on the books for next year).
Lin, who was on of the main architects of the expanding Fast franchise in the last few years, had as ever been deeply involved in developing the new film, even going so far as to co-writing the script. But he stepped away last week following what has been chalked up to "creative differences", though rumours have naturally been flowing that it all stems from unprofessional behaviour on the part of Fast star and producer Vin Diesel.
As mentioned, Fast X is currently scheduled for 19 May, 2023. Let's see if that date sticks...