When it comes to big blockbuster franchises, if you are not a part of a shared universe, then you aren’t doing it right. Marvel Studios is doing it with the MCU, and WB is doing it for their DC Comics in the DCCU. Some studios have attempted and failed to make their own, while others are playing catch up. But for the Fast and Furious franchise, now seems like the perfect time to jump on the shared universe bandwagon, and cash-in on the biggest Hollywood trend.

Franchise star Vin Diesel shared the latest development in a recent interview while talking about Furious 8 and the future of the franchise. More on the story below.

Marvel Studios’ long-gestating Phase Three feature Black Panther, which recently signed Joe Robert Cole for scripting duties and saw its release date moved up from July 2018 to February of that year, so far has had a mighty difficult time locking down the perfect director.

Ava DuVernay (Selma) was first offered the gig over the summer, but she took a pass, as did F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton), who signed on to direct Furious 8 for Universal instead. Marvel seems determined to secure the services of a first-rate filmmaker, and according to a new rumor it appears that they may have found a new front-runner in Ryan Coogler.

Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicks off with Captain America: Civil War. The film will end the Captain America trilogy, but it will also introduce the Spider-Man and Black Panther characters to the MCU. Chadwick Boseman will play the Prince of Wakanda, who seems to have his own agenda in Black Panther. We don’t know how exactly his presence will affect the MCU has a whole, but at least we know who will be writing his solo feature.

A new report says that Marvel has hired Joe Robert Cole (FX’s American Crime Story) to pen the script. There are also other reports saying that the studio is eyeing F. Gary Gray to direct the film. More on the story below.

It was only yesterday that a reported shortlist had Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray as a frontrunner to helm Furious 8. The Incredible Hulk“˜s Louis Leterrier, You’re Next‘s Adam Wingard, and The Signal‘s William Eubank were also among the top candidates for the job.

Vin Diesel consults with Universal on their decision but ultimately, he is not the one who gets to hire or fire. Despite that, he and producer Neal Mortiz have been in talks with the four choices, and it seems that they have settled on Gray. More on the story below.

Rumors of Vin Diesel possibly directing Fast and Furious 8 started to emerge when reports surfaced of the film experiencing production problems before lensing. The actor was quick to distance himself from the job saying he wasn’t interested in getting involved in studio politics. But he did confirm that he talked to Universal, and promised that there will be one final Fast and Furious trilogy. He added that he and producing partner Neal Moritz weren’t simply going to sign off on any director for a franchise as special as Fast and Furious, and that no one has seen a script.

Well, a lot has changed since that time. Now, a couple of reports have pegged Straight Outta Compton helmer F. Gary Gray, The Incredible Hulk‘s Louis Leterrier, and You’re Next‘s Adam Wingard as in line to direct Fast and Furious 8. More on the story below.