We learned last week that Justin Lin, the director of the last four Fast & Furious movies, will not return to direct the seventh movie in the series after Fast & Furious 6.  This is a big franchise for Universal---the studio may shoot as early Fast Seven this summer for a 2014 release, but to do so they need a director.  Universal reportedly spoke to Baltazar Kormakur (Contraband), Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2), and Harold Zwart (The Karate Kid) about the job, but Deadline expects James Wan to sign a deal by the end of the week.  Wan made his name as the director of Saw.  His last film was the surprise hit Insidious, and Wan is currently in post-production on Insidious: Chapter 2.

Hit the jump to read what Lin had to say on the choice of Wan, plus a rundown on what we know about Fast & Furious 7 so far.

Lin endorsed Wan:

“I’m extremely proud to be part of the Fast franchise, it is an experience I will always treasure.  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.”

Wan knows how to achieve a certain slick style, but he has mostly stuck to the horror genre, including his next movie, The Conjuring.  I am curious to see how his skills translate to the over-the-top action of the Fast world.

Here is what Fast & Furious 7 looks like today:

  • Vin Diesel and Paul Walker will definitely return.
  • Deadline says Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese are still question marks, although Johnson hinted there may be a spinoff movie in the works for his character.
  • There is a notable star who is rumored to appear at the end of Fast & Furious 6 and then take on the villain role in the sequel.  Don't click if you want to stay away from spoilers.
  • Neal Moritz will return to produce, and Chris Morgan is set to write his fifth Fast screenplay.