Justin Lin won't direct 'Fast & Furious 7'

While everyone was still buzzing about the possibility of Dwayne Johnson getting his own Fast & Furious spinoff, Vin Diesel quietly dropped word that filming on a seventh film was set for this summer. With rumors of Fast & Furious 6 leading into a major storyline for the next film, it makes sense for Universal to get the ball rolling quickly. Unfortunately, the ramped up schedule has caused franchise director Justin Lin to back out.

Universal wants to have the seventh installment ready for summer 2014, a pace proving too much for Lin to handle. He remains on good terms with the studio, though, even as some are suggesting he may have been growing tired of the franchise. It's safe to say that it's evolved into something much greater under the four films he's directed, with Fast Five the highest-grossing one yet.  With a Lone Wolf and Cub adaptation brewing, plus a pair of sci-fi films, Lin won't be hurting for things to occupy his time.

But this could be a matter of some concern for Diesel and Universal, who will now have to scramble and find a replacement. John Singleton and Rob Cohen helmed the first two films, and someone with a similar style will likely be sought.

Lin's run will end when Fast & Furious 6 opens on May 24th.