For a franchise that talks so much about the importance of family, Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast and Furious franchise has lost one of its own. Producer/director Justin Lin announced yesterday that he would be stepping down as the director of the supposed final installments of the series.

Through a statement put up on the film's Twitter feed, Lin made the big announcement,

"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."

Lin has directed five of the more popular installments, which brought more of the car acrobatics and over the top action to the flicks. What makes the who ordeal even stranger is a foreboding video put up by Vin Diesel not long before this announcement, where he is talking with a less than enthusiastic Lin about the first week of shooting. In the video, Vin asks if Fast X will be the best one, Lin replies with a shrug,

"In my heart, yes."

Lin was to direct both 10 and 11 to round out the series, but with this news, the fate of who might be taking over is still to be decided.

What is known, however, is who will be playing the big bad in the film - Jason Mamoa - with Brie Larson in an unspecified role.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

 

Tags: justin lin Vin Diesel Jason Momoa Brie Larson