Straight Outta Compton’s F. Gary Gray Confirmed To Helm Furious 8

Furious 8 is still scheduled to drop April 4, 2017.

The deep search for a new director began after James Wan decided not to return to the franchise after having helmed Furious 7.

Hollywood has been speculating about who will direct the next Fast and Furious film.

Fresh after the success of Straight Outta Compton, F Gary Gray is in talks to direct the next Fast and Furious film.

Gray confirmed the news on his Facebook page Thursday, thanking the film’s producers and studio. A few feared – and Vin Diesel’s mother hoped – that Diesel himself, in addition to starring in and producing the series, would also take on the role of director.

Straight Outta Compton now holds 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and has raked in nearly $200 million globally.

In an August interview with Deadline, F. Gary Gray opened up about how his working relationship with Ice Cube originally started on the set of a music video that he directed with rapper William Calhoun (aka “WC”). Gray’s also previously worked with Diesel on A Man Apart, as well as star Dwayne Johnson in Be Cool, and Jason Statham in The Italian Job.