Justin Lin to Direct Adaptation of CHINGLISH

Though Fast Five helmer Justin Lin is busy getting ready to shoot the sixth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise over in the UK next month, he’s already lining up potential post-Fast 6 projects.  Variety reports that Lin has acquired the film rights to David Henry Hwang’s play Chinglish, and plays to direct and produce the adaptation.  The romantic comedy centers on an American businessman who arrives in China desperate to launch a new enterprise.  The play examines the cultural divide between China and the U.S., as well as the human characteristics that connect us.

For those confused as to why the action-oriented director of three films in the Fast & Furious franchise is taking on such lighter fare, Lin first broke onto the Hollywood scene with his extremely well received 2002 drama Better Luck Tomorrow (he’s also done some swell work on NBC’s Community).  Hwang himself will pen the screenplay for the feature film adaptation of Chinglish and will also serve as co-producer.