Olivia Wilde says she wants to direct the next Fast and Furious film
The director of The Invite told a London audience that she would love to shoot car chases and believes the franchise does not need a complex plot.
By Anthony Foster ·
Olivia Wilde said on Sunday that she would like to direct the next installment of the Fast and Furious franchise. The 42-year-old filmmaker spoke to an audience at the BFI Southbank in London about her influences for her upcoming projects. She expressed a strong desire to move into action filmmaking after a successful year in drama.
Wilde, who is known for acting in series such as The O.C. and House, cited her love of cars as a primary motivation. She told the crowd that she finds car chases enjoyable to shoot. She joked that she could happily film those sequences forever. She specifically mentioned wanting to direct what she referred to as The Fast and the Furious 25.
The director argued that the film series does not require a heavy narrative structure. She stated that the genre allows for dragging and crashing vehicles without needing a complex story. Wilde called the opportunity a perfect job for her career. She repeated this sentiment during a question and answer session later in the evening.
The franchise has produced ten main films and one spin-off so far. The twelfth movie in the series is currently in development as the first part of a three-film conclusion. Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Gal Gadot are among the returning stars. Past directors for the series include Justin Lin, Rob Cohen, and Louis Leterrier.
Wilde is currently in London shooting her next film, a Christmas comedy titled Naughty. She described the project as a love letter to the late director Rob Reiner. She also directed and acted in The Invite, a dramedy that received positive reviews. The film stars Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
During the BFI event, Wilde discussed her approach to directing. She said she focuses on the experience of making the film rather than worrying about the outcome. She noted that she has changed her methods since her 2019 debut, Booksmart. She also explained that she did not originally plan to direct herself as an actor in Don't Worry Darling. She said she did so because the production ran out of money and no one else was available to take the role for free.
The BFI event took place on Sunday night. Wilde said it was an honor to be in the room with the organization. She praised the reception she has received for her work this year. She described the process of making her recent films as a way to become unburdened by expectations.
