‘Fast Five’ Director Justin Lin to Helm ‘L.A. Riots’ Instead of Spike Lee

After Spike Lee was once attached to direct the racially charged real-life drama L.A. Riots six years ago, it looks like the project has found someone else to sit in the director’s chair now. Vulture reports Fast Five director Justin Lin is negotiating with Universal to direct the film for producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer at Imagine Entertainment. L.A. Riots chronicles the highly publicized beating of Rodney King and the riots that ensued after the four LAPD officers were acquitted of their charges. Sounds like something very different for Lin who has stuck to action with the Fast & Furious franchise in recent years. More below! The film is somewhat timely once again with King drowning this summer, not to mention the comparable Trayvon Martin situation that has been ongoing since earlier this year. Six years ago when Spike Lee was attached, the script came from Red Tails writer John …