Straight Outta Compton Director On Shortlist To Helm Fast & Furious 8

It’s no secret that Universal Pictures is struggling to find a director for the eight installment of their Fast & Furious franchise. Some names have been tossed around, like Rob Cohen, the director of the original film that launched the car racing series, as well as reports of Vin Diesel wanting to direct it himself. Now The Hollywood Reporter has three names that are currently on Universal’s shortlist to direct Fast 8.

First up, F. Gary Gray. He’s considered the frontrunner by The Wrap. Why? Besides directing this summer’s box office hit Straight Outta Compton, Gray has previously directed Vin Diesel in 2003’s A Man Apart and won’t be overwhelmed by all the car-action required of the series because he’s already proved that he could do it with 2003’s The Italian Job.

Then there is, Louis Leterrier. He’s got plenty of experience directing action sequences with The Incredible Hulk, the first two Transporter films and Clash of the Titans. However, the past several years he has been focused on his sleight of hand franchise-to-be Now You See Me.

Lastly, we have Adam Wingard. He’s dabbled in oldschool-action with The Guest, but has garnered more attention for his work in the horror genre with You’re Next and segments of anthology movies The ABC’s of Death and the two V/H/S films.

THR adds, “Several sources say that the trio are due to meet with Diesel, who as one of the franchise’s stewards has a say in who directs the movies, and the studio this week.”

Fast 8 is scheduled to be released in movie theaters on April 14, 2017.