James Wan to direct `Fast and Furious 7`

Los Angeles: James Wan will direct the next installment in the `Fast & Furious` franchise, taking over from Justin Lin. The `Insidious` director is studio Universal`s first choice to helm the next installment in the high-octane speed racing franchise, reported Deadline. Lin is credited with revitalising the franchise, directing the previous three movies in the series, besides the forthcoming `Fast & Furious 6`, but he recently informed studio bosses that he will not return for the seventh movie. Universal was reportedly eager to rush the seventh film into production for a 2014 release with shooting to begin this summer. However, Lin opted to leave the franchise as he would have to juggle pre-production on the next movie while still working on post-production for the current film. Wan was on a short list of potential filmmakers for the big budget blockbuster, beating `Kick-Ass 2` director Jeff Wadlow, `Contraband` director Baltazar Kormakur and `The Karate Kid` director Harold Zwart. The seventh film will mark the return of franchise stars Vin Diesel, who is also executive producer on the series and Paul Walker. `Fast & Furious 6` is due for release next month. PTI