We learned last week that Justin Lin will not return for Fast & Furious 7 that Universal wants in theaters summer 2014.
An inside source has told Deadline that the studio has begun negotiations with James Wan – director of thrillers such as Saw, Insidious, and the upcoming The Conjuring – to sign a deal by the end of the week or so.
Additionally, Justin Lin has openly given his support to the Malaysian-born Aussie filmmaker Wan:
It's time for me to move on to other things and I'm thrilled that Universal and Neal have selected James Wan to lead the franchise into its new chapter.
Universal previously approached several other names for potential Fast & Furious 7 helmers and among them were Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2) who was rumored to be the frontrunner for the job, Baltazar Kormakur (2 Guns), Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer), and Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid).
Wan himself tweeted this tonight:
https://twitter.com/creepypuppet/status/322190455875981312
Now we also know that Vin Diesel and Paul Walker will definitely return as well as Neal Moritz will return to produce, and Chris Morgan is set to write his fifth Fast screenplay – Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese are still question marks.
Meanwhile, Fast & Furious 6 hits May 24th, 2013.
Do you think James Wan is the right guy?
