He became a name to watch with the low budget film Saw in 2004 and his two follow-up films, Dead Silence and Death Sentence, didn’t exactly light the world on fire though the latter seemed to have its admirers. Then, in 2010, James Wan‘s Insidious made $97 million worldwide on a budget of only $1.5 million. This year he returns to theaters with The Conjuring at Warner Bros. in July and Insidious: Chapter 2 will also hit theaters this September. What’s a horror director with a burgeoning career to do next…? Direct Fast and Furious 7?
That’s exactly what’s happening as Deadline reports Universal Pictures has begun negotiations with Wan to direct the seventh film in the franchise, which continues with Fast & Furious 6 on May 24. It was announced only days ago Fast & Furious, Fast Five and Fast 6 director Justin Lin would not be returning for Fast 7 and he has already given Wan his endorsement.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of the Fast franchise, it is an experience I will always treasure, Lin told Deadline, “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.”
There have been rumors as to where the Fast franchise will go from here, including rumors Jason Statham will make a cameo in Fast 6 only to return for Fast 7 as the film’s villain.
No release date has been set, but you can expect Vin Diesel and Paul Walker to return for number seven and I expect Tyrese, Ludacris, Sung Kang and Johnson as well. Especially Kang in fact, considering the franchise has yet to reach the timeline covered in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Hell, maybe even Lucas Black can get in the mix and the seventh will take place after the events of Tokyo Drift. Doubtful, but who knows at this point.
Check out the trailer for Fast & Furious 6 below.
