Following writer/director Justin Lin’s abrupt exit last month and yesterday’s news of French filmmaker Louis Leterrier being the favorite to replace him, more details on the tenth “Fast and Furious” film have emerged.
A new report up at THR claims the production budget for “Fast X” has ballooned and is “hitting upwards of” $300 million. At the same time, the report indicates Lin ultimately left the film due to multiple creative clashes with both Universal and producer/star Vin Diesel.
The trade says Lin penned the script thinking it would be locked as they went into production, but the studio brought in another writer to polish dialogue. Then a meeting on April 23rd led to a ‘major disagreement’ with Diesel when the actor presented new notes.
Lin reportedly said: “This movie is not worth my mental health” and within two days he and the studio had agreed upon his departure. The outlet adds that Diesel is involved with the ‘writing process’ and could essentially veto action sequences.
Universal has given a statement to the trade saying: “Any creative differences leading to Justin Lin’s exit were with the studio, not with fellow producers, cast, or crew.”
As for the high cost? It’s suggested to be potentially due to actors salaries and changing filming locations to avoid the Ukraine conflict as one-third of the budget is going to above-the-line costs. “Fast X” plans to hit cinemas on May 19th 2023.
