Earlier this week,Vin Dieselconfirmed rumors that he was holding upFast & Furious 8with his director’s search. He wants the next film to be perfect. And he has a lot vested in it. Previous rumors claimed he wanted to direct thesequelhimself. He’s now gone on record, addressing his fans onFacebook. Yes, he explains, his mother did urge him to directFast & Furious 8or he wouldn’t make the movie. But it doesn’t sound like that is happening. Instead,Vin Dieselwants to bring in longtime collaborated and director of the very first movie in the franchise, 2001’sThe Fast and the Furious, to return to the helm. This is whatVin Dieselhas to say on the current state ofFast & Furious:
It is no secret that my good friendJustin [Lin]and I have been very intensely discussing the trilogy, as we have dreamed it for almost a decade. We know that when we re-team we will shock the world. It is also no secret that he is finishing[Star Trek Beyond]forJ.J. [Abrams]and won’t be done in time for us to make the date the studio wanted me to announce of April 14th 2017. This would leave 8 without an obvious go to director…
I will share something crazy that my mother said six months ago after the studio had me announce the date for 8 to the world…“Either you direct 8 yourself… or don’t do it.” Some of you vinbook pioneers are all too familiar with my mother’s wisdom, as I have posted her sayings in the past on Our page…but I wrote it off as just a mother’s love and belief in me, though she has seen first hand what I’ve done to make these movies defy expectations and become increasingly successful, even when the studio thought I was crazy… haha.
Back to the matter of 8…First and most importantly is the SCRIPT, which has to be great. Hopefully the writer will deliver something within the next two weeks…Before myThe Last Witch Hunterpress tour begins. There has always been the desire byPaul [Walker]to haveRob [Cohen]direct one more, this is what fueled my campaign…I believe that he can and would reset the franchise nicely, returning to what was the core of the film in the beginning…Racing. He would also handle the Brian O’connor issue with integrity, given that he andDavid Ayerwere the ones who initially created that beloved character in the first place.
Ultimately we all want the best film to honor what we have created and what you the audience has adopted as your favorite franchise. I will leave this matter in the studios hands for a moment while I releaseThe Last Witch Hunterand start production of the long awaitedXander Returns. Again, we make these films with Our hearts. (End)
This could be interesting. Rob Cohen and Vin Diesel first worked together on 2001’sThe Fast and the Furious. They retimed on 2002’sxXx. Rob Cohen latest film as a director was the cheapie thrillerThe Boy Next Door, which came from Blumhouse and starredJennifer Lopez. He is set to next director the 2016Road Houseremake starringRonda Rousey. Looking at his previous films, it’s not quite clear if this director has what it takes to create a movie that will top the sheer insanity ofFurious 7. He may simply be too old school, asThe Boy Next Doorproved he has a very 90s sensibility, which may not work in 2017. Then again, 90s nostalgia has reached a fever pitch, and perhaps that’s what the franchise needs.
Back in March, just beforeFurious 7hit theaters,Vin Dieselappeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!, where he revealed thatFurious 7starts a new trilogy, and thatFast & Furious 8will be set in New York City. The actor/producer also teased thatKurt Russell’s character, Mr. Nobody, will play an important role inFast & Furious 8.Dwayne JohnsonandJason Stathamhave also confirmed that they’ll be back as Hobbs and Ian Shaw.2 Fast 2 FuriousstarEva Mendesmay also return as U.S. Customs agent Monica Fuentes. Other franchise stars such asMichelle Rodriguez,Jordana Brewster,Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges,Elsa PatakyandLucas Blackare expected to return as well.
It isn’t known yet who is writing the screenplay at this time.Chris Morgan, who wroteThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,Fast & Furious,Fast Five,Fast & Furious 6andFurious 7, is currently shepherding Universal Pictures' shared monsters universe withAlex Kurtzman, so it isn’t known if he will be available to writeFast & Furious 8. Do you think Rob Cohen is the right person forFast & Furious 8?
