Key Takeaways:
– Vin Diesel's mother suggested that he directs the eighth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise.
– Diesel, a significant part of the franchise, was among those considered for the directorship role.
– Despite these considerations, his potential directorship was not taken favorably by Universal Pictures, the franchise's production company.
– After complications and considerations, Diesel maintained his position as a producer, similar to his roles in other franchises.
Vin Diesel's Place in the Fast & Furious Franchise
The Fast & Furious franchise's popularity is no secret, with a whopping 10 movies already out. Throughout the series, many actors have made their marks, while stalwarts like Vin Diesel became indelible icons. Diesel's character, Dominic Toretto, is firmly rooted in the franchise – akin to Tom Cruise's hold on the Mission Impossible franchise.
The Role of a Director: Could Diesel Fit the Bill?
In 2015, after Furious 7 grossed over $1 billion worldwide, Diesel announced the team was developing the eighth movie. Surprisingly, as production began in 2017, the team was yet to hire a director. At that point, Diesel's mother, Delora Vincent, proposed that her son should direct Fast & Furious 8. In a Facebook post, Diesel shared his mother's suggestion and discussed his complex relationship with the franchise. However, his agreement with his mother's idea didn't sit well with Universal Pictures, the firm behind the franchise.
Universal Pictures vs Vin Diesel: Behind the Scenes
According to industry insiders, Universal Pictures didn't appreciate the idea of Diesel as director. The search for a new director, after James Wan chose not to return for the eighth film, was proving difficult. Wan has openly discussed the challenges of filming, including extensive script rewrites and numerous change demands by Diesel, following co-star Paul Walker's tragic passing.
Diesel's Influence on the Franchise
Despite all the commotion, Diesel has been keen on maintaining the film's integrity to honor Walker's legacy. Consequently, the process became stressful for others involved, leading to significant production delays partially attributed to Diesel. Intriguingly, while Diesel wasn't officially considered to direct Fast & Furious 8, Universal Pictures consulted him in selecting a director.
The Direction of the Franchise
Evidently, Diesel played a substantial role behind the scenes, much like his onscreen character's dominance. Despite not directing, he remained a key influence in the franchise, similar to his roles in other productions, such as xXx and Riddick.
In conclusion, although Diesel's directorial stint fell through, his continued involvement sustains the franchise's high-octane energy. For fans wishing to catch all Fast & Furious action, the films are available on Amazon Prime Video.
