FAST 7 Might Be TOO Fast for The Rock...
Mon, April 15, 2013 
Earlier this month it was reported that Justin Lin (savior of the Fast/Furious franchise and director since The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) would not be returning to direct Fast & Furious 7.
The reasoning behind Lin's departure is simply because Universal wanted Fast 7 out by summer 2014 to compensate for their lack of presence in the summer box-office, and that was 2fast even for Lin. Star Vin Deisel even basically confirmed Fast & Furious 7 being on the fast track in a Facebook post on his page:
There was an early screening in LA this week of Fast 6. The crowd reaction was surreal… and their demand for the continuation was powerful…
It’s remarkable to think I first embodied this character in 1999… and the evolution continues.
P.s. Filming begins this summer in LA, where it all started… talk about a studio in sync with the audience…
I won't get into how stupid of a move that is for the studio, to let go of your franchise helmer on the very last film; but it seems Universal might need to re-think that.
Collider spoke with Fast & Furious 6 star and major Box Office presence, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson today, and Johnson says he might not even be able to make it to Fast & Furious 7 if it starts filming this summer, citing his schedule on the upcoming Brett Ratner Hercules vehicle.
“It’s not possible for me because I’m shooting Hercules this summer starting in 6 weeks in Budapest, so, possible for them I’m not too sure. I haven’t heard anything about that and I’m pretty sure I would have gotten a phone call pretty early in the morning if that was the real plan. Not quite too sure though.”
While it seems nothing is confirmed as of yet, it would be a bad-bad play for Universal to let Johnson go, after it appears Johnson was one of the key ingredients to the franchise's 2nd rebirth with his starring role as Detective Luke Hobbs in Fast Five. The character was so loved, Johnson even spoke with Empire about the character getting a spin-off which is currently in development.
More news is expected to come, probably whenever Universal realizes how stupid of an idea this all sounds.
Reader Comments (3)
Lin's entries have been big, fun, fun, fun, and fun, with writer Chris Morgan approaching the scripts like a true scholar of the franchise. I am not being sarcastic, either. This is a franchise that knows what its fans want and confidently goes about delivering it.
What NO ONE wants is a rushed final entry. Put on the brakes, let Wan go, get Lin back, make sure The Rock can come back, everybody wins. Even Wan, who won't be blamed for what will be an undoubtedly rushed movie that was scheduled above and beyond his control.
@John
I know, that's what I'm saying. I agree with you 100%, the movies lately have been pure fun and a perfect formula for success and entertainment. A franchise like this deserves a great and well done closing chapter, and rushing things is a huge mistake.
I don't care if we get a "Hobbs" spinoff or whatever; we all just want a great closing chapter with as many people returning as possible and a fun and hopefully emotionally satisfying ending, not a rushed job done in under a year so Universal can get some quick cash.
I'm all the way in your corner, Charles. Great article, totally on point. The fans of this franchise aren't going anywhere because of the rejuvenation you so rightly stated that Lin has injected back into it. I really hope they don't botch it now.