‘Fast’ Director Justin Lin Returns to Indie Cinema at Sundance with ‘Last Days’

The Sundance Film Festival has been a launchpad for many directors, including Justin Lin, whose debut film Better Luck Tomorrow premiered there in 2002. The movie, about ambitious Asian American teens dabbling in crime, earned critical praise, including a glowing review from Roger Ebert, who called Lin ‘a rising star’ and compared the film’s polish to that of big-budget productions.

After Better Luck Tomorrow, Lin’s career skyrocketed. He directed Tokyo Drift, the third film in the Fast & Furious series, and turned the franchise into a global phenomenon with five entries under his belt.

Alongside those, he directed Star Trek Beyond and worked on TV hits like Community and True Detective. Lin credits his Sundance debut with opening the door to a wide range of opportunities, saying, ‘I just wanted to try everything.’

Now, after two decades of blockbuster projects, Lin is back at Sundance with Last Days, his first indie film in years. The movie follows John Allen Chau, a young Christian missionary who attempted to convert the isolated Sentinelese tribe in 2018, only to be killed in the process. The story grabbed headlines for its dramatic and controversial nature.

Initially, Lin admits he judged Chau harshly. But after reading Alex Perry’s Outside Magazine article and speaking with Chau’s father, Patrick, Lin began to see a more complicated story. He connected with Patrick as a parent himself, saying, ‘We never want our kids to feel pain, but we can’t impose either.’

Casting Chau was serendipitous. Lin met Sky Yang, known for his role in Rebel Moon, at a London screening of Better Luck Tomorrow. Yang looked the part and landed the role after auditions, with Ken Leung playing Patrick.

Filming Last Days was a massive challenge, spanning Thailand, Iceland, London, India, and California. Lin recalls battling monsoon winds in Thailand, where a storm wiped out part of the set in minutes. Despite the chaos, he says, ‘We knew we’d make it happen no matter what.’

This indie project comes after Lin’s dramatic departure from Fast X just days into production. Now, he’s open to anything, from small indie projects to major blockbusters. His upcoming work includes Seven Wonders, an Amazon series starring Simu Liu, and the heist film Two for the Money, featuring Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig.

Reflecting on his career, Lin says he’s more selective now. ‘At this stage, everything feels more precious. I need to be excited because it’s two years of my life.’ For him, Last Days marks a fresh chapter in a remarkable journey.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!