Super-huge congratulations to director Justin Lin, who has reportedly signed a two-year first-look deal with Universal for his newly created production company Barnstorm Pictures: 'Fast Five' Director Justin Lin Inks Universal Deal, Sets Production Slate (Exclusive).According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barnstorm Pictures will be based on the Universal lot. Big props also go to Elaine Chin, a former development exec at 20th Century Fox and HBO Films (and contributor at YOMYOMF), who has been hired as the company's president of production.
Justin's already got some cool-sounding projects in development, including an untitled World War II movie about the celebrated 442nd Regimental Combat Team -- something I know he's been wanting to make for a long time:
Lin, who broke through with his Sundance drama Better Luck Tomorrow, will work on an "elevated tentpole" aimed at global audiences. And he’s already put together a directing and producing slate that includes:That is a lot of cool stuff on his plate. It also says he's interested in keeping a hand in "the smaller-budgeted world of his roots, helping to give up-and-comers their chance." Goodness, Justin. I don't know when you're going to find time to do it all... but I am pretty damn glad you're doing it. More here: "Fast Five" director Justin Lin signs deal with studio.
- The action-adventure/spy film Leading Man;
- An untitled project about a WWII Japanese American battalion that is the most decorated unit in American history;
- An untitled sci-fi/crime thriller project to be directed by Robert Glickert; and
- Fast & Furious 6, which already has a release date of May 24, 2013.
On top of that, Lin is attached to several projects, including the fifth installment of the Terminator movie series, currently not set up at a studio; Brigands of Rattleborge, the Western that previously topped the Black List; and We Disappear, a psychological drama based on the acclaimed novel by Scott Heim.
Lin also is developing Lone Wolf and Cub, an adaptation of the acclaimed epic samurai manga, with Marissa McMahon, the burgeoning producer and daughter-in-law of WWE CEO Vince McMahon and by 1212 Entertainment. The duo is in the midst of packaging the project.