Hours later THR reported that Gray entered into exclusive negotiations to become the Fast & Furious 8 director.
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“Cant ask for better partners than Vin, Neal & Universal”.
The deep search for a new director began after James Wan decided not to return to the franchise after having helmed Furious 7. “Excited to bring u the next chapter of the #FastFamily saga”.
Gray confirmed the news on his Facebook page Thursday, thanking the film’s producers and studio.
This is not the first time that Vin Diesel will have a leading role in one of F. Gary Gray’s films. In the film, which also starred actors Larenz Tate and Timothy Olyphant, Vin Diesel played criminal-turned-DEA agent Sean Vetter. Calling it “FF8” in a simple graphic, the director echoes what many have been speculating for several days now.
Gray’s previous directing credits include The Italian Job, Friday, and The Negotiator.
Gray is coming off a big success for the studio with the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, so this deal goes a long way in maintaining an already lucrative partnership between the two entities.
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Furious 8 is slated for release on April 14, 2017. What we do know is that F. Gary Gray beat out a shortlist of contenders jockeying to collaborate with the deceased Walker (metaphorically, we hope).
