The folks over at ComingSoon.net learned Tuesday that Vin Diesel is directing a 20-minute prequel to his upcoming action flick "Fast and Furious." Trust me, I was surprised too when I first read it.

Although not much is known about the short, Diesel he would star alongside Michelle Rodriguez  and Sung Kang. Rodriguez starred in the first film of the series and will reprise her role in the fourth installment, which opens June 5, 2009. Kang starred in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokio Drift."

Diesel didn't comment on how and when the prequel would premiere once it's ready. 

In the upcoming big-screen sequel, Diesel and Paul Walker team up to take down a common enemy. Justin Lin si directing. Diesel will next star in Mathieu Kassovitz's action flick "Babylon A.D."

Did you know? This is not the first time Diesel moves behind the camera, and it also won't be the last. In 1997, he directed "Strays," and next year, he's expected to helm "Hannibal the Conqueror." I wonder if we ever get to see him direct himself in another "xXx" sequel...