GOT THE GREENLIGHT.  Hollywood sources are saying “Straight Outta Compton” director, F. Gary Gray, is a near lock-in to helm "Fast and Furious 8,” the latest installment in the bankable action thriller franchise.

Via social media, Vin Diesel, the star and producer of “Furious” posted a photo of himself with Gray hinting that the director was set to take the reins of Universal’s nearly unstoppable global motion-picture series.  If truly given greenlight, Gray, will take over from James Wan, who directed “Furious 7.” Other "F&F" franchise directors are Justin Lin, who helmed installments three through six.  The first film 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” was directed by Rob Cohen, while John Singleton directed its first sequel, “2 Fast, 2 Furious.”

The Hollywood rumor mill has also churned out, "FF8" will also feature Paul Walker's brother Cody as Jack O'Conner.  Production is set to begin in spring of 2016 with pre-production to start next in November.  The release date is set for April 2017.

Fast 5 Races to #1 Stimulates US Box-office

Hollywoodteur’s obsession with franchises paid off as Universal’s Fast Five raced to an $83.6 million opening at the domestic box office, brings its international cume to $81.4 million and worldwide receipts to $165 million. Fast bested Paramount and Marvel Studios’ Thor (US May 6th), in several markets where the two both opened. 20th Century Fox's Rio continues to colorize Hollywoodteurs' pockets green ending the weekend with a world total of $366 million.

Fast Five lifts the North American box office, which has endured a long-running slump, up 53% over the same frame a year ago, welcome news for Hollywoodteurs as the summer season gets underway. Fast Five is a huge and much needed victory, for Universal. Fast Five was originally supposed to open in June, but when Paramount’s Super 8 moved onto the same date, Universal took a risk and pushed the film to April 29th.

Directed by Justin Lin, one of Hollywood’s hottest young talents, Fast Five reunites franchise stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson and introduces Dwayne Johnson to race. Universal says Fast Five cost $125 million to produce after production incentives and tax credits, but others Hollywoodteurs put the price tag as high as $150 million.

Other weekend’ new films stalled, including Disney’s tween-driven Prom and the Weinstein Co.’s Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil; however, holdovers Rio, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family and Water for Elephants performed respectively.

Hollywoodteurs will have tons of great demographic information from the numbers according to Fast Five to rebuild their current marketing campaigns for their upcoming summer tentpoles, franchises and summer blockbusters.