The stakes are high for Universal Pictures' next "Fast and Furious" film, since the seventh installment to the franchise managed to gross $1.5 billion worldwide this year.
However, The Hollywood Reporter notes that "Fast and Furious 8," or rather "F8" has hit quite a snag in production, and the fingers are being pointed towards its lead star Vin Diesel.
Sources say that Diesel became "extraordinarily difficult" to work with after the death of his good friend Paul Walker. As a producer, Diesel questioned even the smallest details on elaborate action sequences, which in turn holds up the production. He is also known to summon directors late at night just to discuss about his character's story and dialogue.
However, Diesel's spokesperson denies the accusations as "complete nonsense." Even "Furious 7" director James Wan's rep denies the claims, while "Furious" producer Neal Moritz added: "Obviously, if there was any issue, we wouldn't be making the eighth film with Diesel right now."
In a statement, a Universal spokesperson also said that "the studio and filmmakers loved working with James on 'Furious 7,' but he was never in the mix for an eighth film due to a scheduling conflict with 'The Conjuring 2.' We are actively casting and searching for the right director for the next chapter of the franchise."
Wan was actually the first choice of Universal to helm the next "Furious" film, but he denied because making the seventh film took its toll on his health. Universal then approached Justin Lin, who directed the third to sixth movies in the franchise, but he denied as well, choosing instead to direct the next "Star Trek" film.
Because of this, Universal renewed their offer to Wan with "life-altering money" just to direct one more installment, but Wan turned it down because he felt that it would have been "life ending" just to make another "Furious" film.
Aside from "The Conjuring 2," Wan has also accepted directorial duties for Jason Momoa's "Aquaman" and "Robotech."
For now, Universal is still scrambling to find the perfect director for "Furious 8," while Diesel remains more committed than ever to see to it that the next film will be at par, if not outshine "Furious 7."
Some insiders even say that Diesel might want to direct the movie himself.
"Vin is tireless. It may be difficult, but he is trying to win with this thing," a source said.
