Justin Lin Is Stepping Down as ‘Fast X’ Director, Will Stay on In Producer Role

Justin Lin has bowed out as Fast X’s director.

Variety reports that while he will no longer helm the Fast and Furious franchise film, he will stay on as a producer. Lin co-wrote Fast X with Dan Mazeau.

“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,” Lin said in a statement, per Deadline. “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.”

Lin stepping down came just days after production on the film began. It seems that his decision was amicable, but that he made it because of creative differences. Film production will be placed on a temporary hold as producers and executives search for an appropriate replacement for Lin. Sources say that Fast X’s release date is firm at the moment and will stay on track for its scheduled May 19, 2023 arrival.

Lin has been with the Fast and Furious franchise since the third film, 2006’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. He subsequently directed the next three films: Fast & Furious, Fast Five, and Fast and Furious 6. After leaving for the next two films, he came back for F9, which earned over $720 million at the international box office last year, bringing his total gross across the five films to be over $1.9 billion globally.