by: S. Scott Stanikmas

Earlier in the week, Vin Diesel said he’d announce who is in the running to direct the next installment of the Fast and Furious franchise. And while the actor / producer may think he’s got the inside track other reports say that two other dark horses are racing up that quarter mile as well.

Let’s start with Diesel’s picks. Apparently he thinks it’s down to Rob Cohen or himself.

Cohen directed the first film in the series and Diesel said that, before he passed away tragically, Pal Walker had talked about getting Rob Cohen back in the fold:

There has always been the desire by Paul to have Rob direct one more, this is what fueled my campaign… I believe that he can and would reset the franchise nicely, returning to what was the core of the film in the beginning… racing. He would also handle the Brian O’connor issue with integrity, given that he and David Ayer were the ones who initially created that beloved character in the first place.

While it would make nice symmetry, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter both have sources that say it’s unlikely that Rob Cohen will get the nod to direct the final trilogy.

Another Facebook tidbit has Diesel saying his mom thinks he’s the perfect choice to direct:

I will share something crazy that my mother said six months ago after the studio had me announce the date for 8 to the world… “ Either you direct 8 yourself… or don’t do it. Some of you vinbook pioneers are all too familiar with my mother’s wisdom, as I have posted her sayings in the past on Our page… but I wrote it off as just a mother’s love and belief in me, though she has seen first hand what I’ve done to make these movies defy expectations and become increasingly successful, even when the studio thought I was crazy… haha.

Word is that Universal is none too happy with the actor’s Facebook posting. But what are they going to do about it – make the next three films without him?

The real contenders according to Deadline are Ericson Core and Louis Leterrier.

Core was the D.P. on the first Fast And The Furious and has the Point Break remake out this holiday season. Meanwhile Leterrier has success in big action films, helming the first two Trasnporter films, The Incredible Hulk and Now You See Me. Either director would be an excellent choice.

But those won’t be the only names in the running. Even though the movie needs to get production rolling soon, I’d bet the executives at Universal are racking their brains trying to pinpoint the perfect choice. After all, these three movies will (reportedly) be the last time Domenic Toretto and his family ride together. And after the success of Furious 7, expectations are very high.