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Who Does Star and Producer Vin Diesel Want to Direct Fast & Furious 8?

Action star Vin Diesel has hinted that he wants to step into the driving seat for Fast & Furious 8. But there could be another director the prolific star and producer may want for the sequel.

The previous film, Furious 7, grossed an incredible $1.5 billion worldwide becoming one of the highest grossing movies of all time.

And muscle bound star Vin, who is one of the original cast members, has now confirmed on his popular Facebook page that he wants to follow his mother's advice and direct the new movie.

Here is the first section of the lengthy social media post:

It is no secret that my good friend [long-time Fast & Furious director] Justin [Lin] and I have been very intensely discussing the trilogy, as we have dreamed it for almost a decade. We know that when we re-team we will shock the world. It is also no secret that he is finishing Trek for JJ and won’t be done in time for us to make the date the studio wanted me to announce of April 14th 2017.

This would leave 8 without an obvious go to director…

I will share something crazy that my mother said six months ago after the studio had me announce the date for 8 to the world… “ Either you direct 8 yourself… or don’t do it.” Some of you vinbook pioneers are all too familiar with my mother’s wisdom, as I have posted her sayings in the past on Our page… but I wrote it off as just a mother’s love and belief in me, though she has seen first hand what I’ve done to make these movies defy expectations and become increasingly successful, even when the studio thought I was crazy… haha.

The Pitch Black actor is evidently not short of the confidence following the last movie's huge commercial success.

Diesel previously confirmed on Facebook that the next three Furious movies would be a trilogy, which would end the long running franchise. 

He said: “Universal has been so good to me and so trusting of the vision … they have been like family … I promised the studio I would deliver one last trilogy to end the saga.

“My producing partner Neal (Moritz) would love for me to just sign off on a director, but this is too special a franchise, so these matters have to be very carefully handled.

“To be clear, NO ONE has been offered to helm Fast 8 yet … let alone seen a script.”

Deadline has reported that sources within Universal say that Diesel is “controlling,” but that ultimately relations are good with star and studio.

The star hasn't directed a feature film since his low budget independent film Strays, which had a budget of around $10,000. He did direct a short film about his Fast & Furious character called Los Bandoleros in 2009.

But there's a new name possibly in the mix, or should I say, an 'old name:' The first The Fast and the Furious director Rob Cohen. Vin posted a picture to Facebook with he, Cohen and the late Paul Walker, around the time of the quote above. It could actually be that Vin wants Cohen to direct one of the final 3 films, and perhaps Vin himself directs one, too, and Justin Lin wrapping up the trilogy after he finishes Star Trek Beyond.

But with an April 14, 2017 release date drawing closer, Universal need to hire a director quickly, or risk delaying their billion dollar cash cow.