Vin Diesel unlikely to direct 'Furious 8'

Vin Diesel took to Facebook to weigh in on the search for a

director for "Furious 8," suggesting he is the right choice for

the high-profile gig.

The often-outspoken actor and producer told fans that his

mother had recently told him, "Either you direct 8 yourself...

or don't do it."

Diesel goes on to say he wrote off her comments as "just a

mother's love and belief" in him, but did add that she has

witnessed what he'd done to "make these movies defy

expectations and become increasingly successful, even when

the studio thought I was crazy."

But, according to insiders, it looks unlikely that the star will

get to take a seat in the director's chair anytime soon.

An insider says the studio isn't happy with Diesel's post, or

the notion that he might direct. "It is never going to happen,"

says the insider.

As The Hollywood Reporter reported, the search for a new

director for the franchise has not been easy. James Wan,

who helmed "Furious 7," chose not to return to take on the

eighth installment, instead signing on to direct "Conjuring 2."

The two-year shoot for "Furious 7," which included a delay

and rewrites after the death of Paul Walker, was so

challenging that it actually compromised Wan's health.

Sources say Diesel proved extraordinarily difficult,

questioning even small details on elaborate action sequences,

often holding up the complex production.

THR also reported that Diesel, who must be consulted on

director choices but does not have veto power over the

studio, has had an eye on directing one of the franchise

films, a point now confirmed by Diesel's Facebook post.

His post also states that Diesel had been hoping that Rob

Cohen, who helmed 2001's "The Fast and the Furious," would

be coming back to direct again, but sources say he isn't in

the running for the job.

Universal had no comment on Diesel's post. Sources say the

script, by Chris Morgan, is still being finished up, at which

point producers will look toward officially hiring a director.

Read Diesel's Facebook post below.

It is no secret that my good friend Justin and I have been

very intensely discussing the trilogy, as we have dreamed it

for almost a decade. We know that when we re-team we will

shock the world. It is also no secret that he is finishing Trek

for JJ and won't be done in time for us to make the date the

studio wanted me to announce of April 14th 2017.

This would leave 8 without an obvious go to director...

I will share something crazy that my mother said six months

ago after the studio had me announce the date for 8 to the

world... " Either you direct 8 yourself... or don't do it." Some

of you vinbook pioneers are all too familiar with my mother's

wisdom, as I have posted her sayings in the past on Our

page... but I wrote it off as just a mother's love and belief in

me, though she has seen first hand what I've done to make

these movies defy expectations and become increasingly

successful, even when the studio thought I was crazy...

haha.

Back to the matter of 8... First and most importantly is the

SCRIPT, which has to be great. Hopefully the writer will

deliver something within the next two weeks... before my

Witch Hunter press tour begins. There has always been the

desire by Paul to have Rob direct one more, this is what

fueled my campaign... I believe that he can and would reset

the franchise nicely, returning to what was the core of the

film in the beginning... racing. He would also handle the

Brian O'connor issue with integrity, given that he and David

Ayer were the ones who initially created that beloved

character in the first place.

Ultimately we all want the best film to honor what we have

created and what you the audience has adopted as your

favorite franchise. I will leave this matter in the studios

hands for a moment while I release The Last Witch Hunter

and start production of the long awaited "Xander Returns".

Again, we make these films with Our hearts.