Vin Diesel Unlikely to Direct Furious 8

Despite a lengthy post on Facebook declaring his interest in jumping into the driving seat and directing Furious 8, studio insiders have ruled Vin Diesel out of taking the helm.

The star and produce of the Fast & Furious series told fans that his mother had told him: “Either you direct 8 yourself... or don’t do it.” Diesel wrote off her comments as ‘just a mothers 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 an insider quote in The Hollywood Reporter, 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.

The Hollywood Reporter 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.

• Furious 8 (Movie)