Justin Lin Signs For Two Films With Universal; Developing WWII Film And Spy Movie ‘Leading Man’
Justin Linis continuing his run with Universal. While the director began his career with the indieBetter Luck Tomorrow, but diverted throughAnnapolisand ended up making the last three films in theFast and the Furiousfranchise. Not a bad thing as far as financial stability goes, but it seems like the guy wants to do more.
Sure, hedropped outof remakingHighlander, but that’s probably a good idea. And he’s got a giglined updirectingFast Six, or whatever it will be called, also probably a good idea from a certain career perspective. But after that? Lin has signed a two-film deal with Universal that will coverFF6and another film. One of those may beLeading Man, or a WWII film about the 442nd Infantry Regiment, the all-Japanese American regiment that was also the most-decorated WWII unit.
Deadlinehas the basics of the deal, but doesn’t offer anything on either of the two ‘new’ films in development.Leading Manis referred to as an “action adventure spy film,” which means it is almost certainly an adaptation of the comicThe Leading Man, which was released in 2006 and has beenin developmentsince at least 2008. Here’s the recap of that story:
I’d much rather see Lin do the film about the 442nd, the history of which is far too detailed to recount here with any proper respect. I hate to just send you toWikipedia, so check outThe442.org, which has a good collection of info. That would be a project unlike anything the director has tackled to date, and could be a great way to make a change from the popular but creatively limitedFast/Furiousmovies.
Justin Lin is also stillhoping to makea fifthTerminatorfilm with Arnold Schwarzenegger.Fast Sixwill be next, however, and after that it’s anyone’s guess.
