Following longtime franchise mainstay Justin Lin's decision to step down as director of Fast X, Universal has been actively seeking a replacement over the past few days, and it seems as though they are now in advanced negotiations with Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk; Now You See Me) to take helm of the upcoming action blockbuster.
Some scheduling details still need to be worked out, but it seems like both sides are confident a deal will come together in the next few hours, if not days. Production is already underway, with second-unit photography continuing after Lin's exit, but Leterrier will have his work cut out for him when he takes over first-unit, since the former has already completed an extensive pre-production process.
In addition to The Incredible Hulk, Leterrier has helmed The Transporter, Transporter 2, Now You See Me, and Clash of the Titans. Jason Statham is expected to be back in this film, so his history with the director may have played a part in bringing him onboard this project so quickly.
Vin Diesel returns to headline the project as Dom Toretto, with a familiar supporting cast consisting of Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce, Ludacris as Tej Parker, Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto, Sung Kang as Han Seoul-Oh, Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey, John Cena as Jakob Toretto, Lucas Black as Sean Boswell, Cardi B as Leysa, Charlize Theron as Cipher, Helen Mirren as Queenie Magdalene Ellmanson-Shaw, and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw.
Academy Award-winner Brie Larson (Captain Marvel; The Marvels), Jason Momoa (Aquaman; Dune), and Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad; The Payback) have all joined the cast in key roles, with Momoa reportedly set to play the villain.
Plot details are currently unknown, but the film is expected to be the thrilling first half of a sure-to-be epic two-part finale.
Fast X is slated to race into theaters on May 19, 2023; while the final chapter in the saga, the untitled Fast & Furious 11, is tentatively scheduled to arrive in February 2024.