Justin Lin Moves Into New Sci-Fi Comedy 'Subdivision'

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by Charlie Schmidlin
October 30, 2012 10:39 AM
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Fresh off helming perhaps the most gleefully anarchic and exuberant entry in the “Fast and Furious” series with “Fast Five,” the number of directions Justin Lin can explore next looks enviable to say the least. With that film's enormous box office bolstered by critical support, the director proved himself the obvious choice to lead the sixth installment, but along with a number of promising projects lining up on the side, it now seems he'll be treading into sci-fi waters in the near future.

Following a bout of fierce competition amongst studios, Universal Pictures has emerged triumphant in acquiring “Subdivision,” a sci-fi comedy spec from writers Morgan Jurgenson ("Tucker and Dale vs. Evil") and Alex Ankeles, with Lin and his Barnstorm Pictures banner attached as well. Along with Barnstorm exec Elaine Chin, Lin took a shine to the script and placed it in Universal's hands as both a potential producing and directing gig.

The acquisition marks the second such deal for Jurgenson and Ankeles, who earlier this year successfully sold their other sci-fi script “Hyperdrive” to Paramount, but while details on “Subdivision” remain under wraps at the moment, its chosen title and genre may conjure up more bitter memories of “The Watch” than initially hoped. Regardless, Lin is currently embroiled in a number of compelling projects, including former Spike Lee drama “L.A. Riots” and adaptations of both the manga “Lone Wolf and Cub” and David Hwang's stage play “Chinglish,” so expect decisions on those films to get made before “Subdivision” is even brought into the conversation. [Variety]