Sung Kang has said the Fast & Furious franchise may have “lost our way” as it moved far beyond its street-racing origins into increasingly extravagant action stories. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, the actor said he hopes lessons from directing his independent film Drifter could help the series reconnect with the car community and sense of belonging that originally made it popular worldwide.

Kang said he does not believe he has the authority to determine the franchise’s direction, but intends to share what he has learned rather than remain silent. He suggested the series could benefit from returning to the automotive culture and community at its core, after films involving increasingly implausible stunts such as travelling to space and saving the planet.