Director Justin Lin recently dropped out of Fast X, and movie studio Universal is now reportedly spending big money to keep the production going as it looks for a replacement.

　　Sources explained to Variety that production on Fast X will continue with its second unit in the UK while the producers can find a replacement director for the first unit. But until then, the production is said to be "burning through cash." Sources said Universal could be spending between $600,000 and $1 million per day as it looks for a new director.

　　The report went on to explain that another critical factor here is that some of the newly added stars, including Brie Larson and Jason Momoa, are very in-demand, and a production delay on Fast X could come with "costly" changes to accomodate their schedules.

　　Lin's exit from Fast X was due to "creative differences" and was described as "amicable." He will remain attached to the project as a producer. As for who might step in to replace him, that's anyone's guess and no names have been floated publicly yet.

　　Some want to see series star Vin Diesel, who is also a producer, step up and direct Fast X. However, Variety said the likelihood of this happening is low. He does have directing experience, however, as he helmed the 1997 feature film Strays and the 2009 short film Los Bandoleros.

　　Lin exiting Fast X as its director is a big move, as he has considerable experience with the franchise. He directed Tokyo Drift (2006), Fast & Furious (2009), Fast 5 (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), and F9 (2021).

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　　Fast X's May 2023 premiere date remains on schedule, though whether or not it shifts due to the search for a new director remains to be seen.

　　In addition to series regulars like Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and Sung Kang, Fast X will feature the aforementioned Larson and Momoa, as well as The Suicide Squad's Daniela Melchior.

　　The latest film, F9, made $726 million during the pandemic.