Justin Lin steps down as director and possible considerations

 

With filming already underway for "Fast X", production has now halted as director Justin Lin has stepped down as director of the tenth instalment of the "Fast & Furious" franchise just days into filming. 

Lin released the following statement:

“With the support 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 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history. I will forever be grateful to the amazing cast, crew and studio for their support, and for welcoming me into the FAST family.”

Production had just begun last Wednesday, but it's been stated by insiders that that they will still be doing second unit filming while a replacement is being looked at. Insidered had also that the the release date of May 19th, 2023 will remain the same. 

Lin had been the franchise architect from the third instalment to the sixth instalment and most recently returned to directed the ninth instalment released last summer and it became one of the highest grossing movies in the post-pandemic era making over $720 million worldwide.

Here is a list of potential directors who could fit the bill:

-James Wan ("Furious 7", "Aquaman")

-F. Gary Gray ("Fate of the Furious", "The Italian Job")

-Vin Diesel

-Adam Wingard ("The Guest", "Godzilla vs. Kong")

-David Leitch ("Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw", Bullet Train, "Deadpool 2")

-Dustin Daniel Cretton ("Shang Chi")

-Edgar Wright ("Hot Fuzz", "Baby Driver", "Last Night in Soho")

-Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity", "American Made")

-DJ Caruso ("xXx: The Return of Xander Cage") 

First look at the villains

 

Just recently, cast member Charlize Theron took to her IG account to reveal what Cipher has been up to since the events of "F9" and she looks like that she is up to no good this time after being released from her glass box. The next photo reveals a first look at Jason Momoa's villain who will coming face-to-face with the family. 

Production Begins, new title and cast members announced.

 

Production has now begun on the upcoming tenth installment, now titled "Fast X". This was confirmed by star and producer Vin Diesel on his Instagram account. In addition to this, Universal Picture have announced the returning cast members alongside Diesel, franchise veterans Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Charlize Theron and Michael Rooker, who had appeared in the ninth film in a brief role. New cast members will include Jason Momoa as a villain with Brie Larson and Daniela Melchoir in undisclosed roles.

Cast members who have seem to be left out are Jason Statham, John Cena, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, Lucas Black and Cardi B. Statham's return was teasted at the end of "F9" and both him and Cena have highly expressed intrest in reprising their roles in the next two movies, recently Mirren has said that she hopes to be back behind the wheel, Russell being back is 50/50 as we don't know what happened to his character Mr. Nobody after the plane crash, Lucas Black had signed a three-picture deal in 2013 after being announced to appear in "Furious 7" at that time, so a safe bet he'll be back and lastly there's Cardi B, who's involvement Diesel had confirmed in June 2021. Hopefully we'll get confirmation on this soon.

In another IG post, Diesel had stated in an early draft of the "Fast X" script, the character Mia (played by Jordana Brewster) was left out, Diesel posted the following:

"Yes, Your opinion has always mattered. When the F10 script came in, it excluded Mia Toretto…. Someone whom I’ve attributed the brotherhood of Dom and Brian to… I was so disappointed that I couldn’t see how I could continue… After all, I wasn’t going to make another Fast unless Brian was back in Four… I don’t need to remind you of the petitions you sent the studio for Letty’s return at the the end of FIve. Side note, you will never believe who corrected the very important role of Mia… my daughter, the Alpha Angel, who told the director very plainly and honestly “NO MIA NO FAST 10!” haha. The irony, is that the day she was born I was filming with Jordanna and Pablo and it was Jordanna who I first told… profound right?

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t want to turn back time, talk Pablo out of heading back to LA that thanksgiving weekend… every Fast film I make must at the core always honor my brother Pablo. In the real world, I will always look after his family, because in the real world he is family. When his daughter asked me to walk her down the isle… I tear up, and then do it with pride and and honor… when his mother asks me to bring Brian back to the screen… well, I don’t have to tell you how serious I take that. Fast could never have been here without the profound love and brotherhood between Dom and Brian, established in 2001. Yeah, I am talking too much, but damn, life is short and your comment touched me and hit a cord. Thank you for believing in me, in us… I won’t rest until I make you, him… and the universe proud."

Hopefully we'll get more updates in the coming weeks like casting announcements and set images revealing who Larson and Melchoir could be playing.

Fast & Furious 10 Cast Recap

 Confirmed

Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto)

Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Oritz)

Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto O'Conner)

Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce)

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges (Tej Parker)

Nathalie Emmanuel (Ramsey)

Sung Kang (Han Lue)

Charlize Theron (Cipher)

Jason Momoa (Unnamed villain)

Brie Larson (Role unknown)

Daniela Melchoir (Role unknown)

Unconfirmed

Jason Statham (Deckard Shaw)

John Cena (Jakob Toretto)

Lucas Black (Sean Boswell)

Shaw "Bow Wow" Moss (Twinkie)

Jason Tobin (Earl)

Anna Sawai (Elle)

Kurt Russell (Mr. Nobody)

Scott Eastwood (Little Nobody)

Luke Evans (Owen Shaw)

Helen Mirren (Queenie Shaw)

Cardi B (Leysa)

Welcome to the Family Brie

 

Oscar winner and the star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson has joined the cast of "Fast & Furious 10". Franchise lynchpin Vin Diesel welcomed his new co-star on Instagram with the following statement:

"Yeah yeah yeah… you see this angel over my shoulder cracking me up, you say to your self " that's captain Marvel".

"Clearly there is love and laughter in this image. What you don't see however, is the character you will be introduced to in Fast10. You have no idea how timeless and amazing she will be in our mythology. Beyond her beauty, her intellect… her Oscar, haha is this profound soul who will add something you might not have expected but yearned for."

"Welcome to the FAMILY Brie."

This comes as no suprise, since the actress had stated not too long ago that she is a fan of the series would be open to joining the series. So I dig this casting suggestion.

Plot details for the upcoming tenth instalment are still being kept under wraps, in addition to Diesel, Larson will join franchise veterans Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang and Charlize Theron and fellow newcomers Jason Momoa and Daniela Melchoir. The film will be directed by Justin Lin and will be released on May 19th, 2023.

Fast & Furious 10: Jason Momoa confirms Charlize Theron's involvement and shares details on his role

Jason Momoa's "Fast & Furious 10" villain may still be a mystery, but the actor confirmed that he will shares scenes with both Vin Diesel and Charlize Theron, whose involvement is now confirmed.

Momoa recently spoke to ET while on the red carpet for the new film "Ambulance", and he revealed some new details about his villainous turn in Fast & Furious 10. Not only did he preview what kind of guy his mystery villain is, Momoa also confirmed he has scenes with franchise lead Vin Diesel and one of Fast & Furious' biggest villains: Charlize Theron. Momoa said:

"He's amazing. He's ornery. He's misunderstood. I get to shoot with some really cool people that I have never -- I get to work with Charlize [Theron] first up, which I'm really excited about. She's amazing. Then I get to go to some cool places. Obviously work with the whole cast -- most of the cast... But yeah, I'm excited I'm working with Vin. I'm excited I'm working with Charlize."

The Fast & Furious franchise has had a great track record when it comes to the performers. In the past those like Jason Statham, Charlize Theron and John Cena have slipped into the part of antagonist and look like they have great fun. Usually Momoa would play heroic roles like Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe and Duncan Idaho in "Dune", so the prospect of him playing a classic misunderstood villain is an appealing one and Momoa, himself seems to be excited to be playing one.

"Fast & Furious 10" races into cinemas May 19th, 2023 and will see Justin Lin at the helm once again and will feature Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Sung Kang and Nathalie Emmanuel reprising their roles and in addition to Momoa's casting, "The Suicide Squad" cast member Daniela Melchior will also be joining the cast.