His older brother was a Hollywood heartthrob tragically killed in a car crash in November 2013.
But Cody Walker is helping to keep his brother’s legacy alive.
The 28-year-old is set to touch down in Sydney this week to raise funds for Reach Out World Wide, a charity that Paul founded before his death.
Cody’s arrival in Australia coincides with the premiere of Fast & Furious 8 – the franchise in which Paul starred and for which he is best remembered.
According to The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Cody is set to attend screenings of the film in the Sydney suburbs of Warriewood and Narellan in order to raise ‘awareness and money’ for Paul’s charity.
Reach Out World Wide is a charity designed to help accelerate relief efforts after the occurrence of natural disasters.
‘The whole idea behind Reach Out and why Paul created it was because natural disasters are occurring around us all the time,’ Cody is quoted as saying in The Telegraph.
It is not the first time Cody has been Down Under. He was in the country for the premiere of Furious 7 in 2015, the last film in which Paul starred.
After his sudden death, look-a-like Cody and another of Paul’s brothers, Caleb, stepped in to film action scenes for Paul.
Caleb previously told Entertainment Tonight that he has spoken with franchise co-star Vin Diesel about if and when they may be able to bring Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, back for a cameo.
Cody is also an actor, but it is unknown whether he may fill the shoes of Paul should the character make a comeback in a future installment.
With over 1 million Instagram followers, Cody frequently shares old photos that show the close bond he shared with his brother, while many fans comment on the their likeness.
After Paul Walker tragically died last year, the ‘Fast and Furious 7’ production team had a lot of difficulty grieving over the actor’s death while having to deal with rewrites and delays. The upcoming seventh installment of the popular film franchise will showcase Walker’s gracious exit from the series.
Even though the cast and crew had a tough time, they were able to find a way to continue filming until July 10, when they finally wrapped up the production.
The sudden death of Walker made the franchise’s future unclear, since no one knew how the series would continue without the actor.
Different rumors about the movie circulated, one of which said that the franchise would retire the character, instead of incorporating the character’s death in the film.
It was also rumored that the franchise used CGI effects, to supplement scenes where Walker was absolutely necessary.
“They have hired four actors with bodies very similar to Paul’s physique and they will be used for movement and as a base…Paul’s face and voice will be used on top using CGI,” a source told Daily News.
More recent reports say that Walker’s siblings, Caleb and Cody, helped out in the movie as body doubles, which the production team confirmed through the movie’s official Facebook page.
“We have resumed shooting and now welcome Paul’s brothers, Caleb and Cody, into our FAST family. Caleb and Cody are helping us complete some remaining action for their brother and fill in small gaps left in production. Having them on set has made us all feel that Paul is with us too,” the statement read.
In order for the franchise to continue without Brian, Walker’s character, ‘Fast and Furious 7’ director James Wan and writer Chris Morgan reportedly altered the script in such a way that the movie will be able to send-off Walker’s character by using the footage he had shot before his death.
‘Fast and Furious 7’, stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson, Gina Carano, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky, and the late Paul Walker; it hits theaters on April 3, 2015.
Paul Walker’s younger brother Cody Walker has opened up about the actor’s death. The 25-year-old paramedic still can’t believe that Paul is already gone.
Cody is sharing Paul’s role with their brother Caleb to help complete the production for “Fast & Furious 7.” Paul already completed most of his scenes in the film as Brian O’Conner, but there are still a few scenes left that need to be filmed.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Cody has opened up about how Paul’s untimely passing is affecting them all.
Right now, a whole lot of time has not gone by yet,” Cody said, referring to the November 30 accident that claimed his brother’s life at age 40.
“It still doesn’t feel real, because sometimes, working in this industry, making films, he’d be away from his family three, four, six months at a time, you know. And my only interaction would be a phone call. So I know it’s going to take a while. It’s going to take a few years before it feels real.”
Cody’s voice cracked while talking fondly about Paul. He praised his famous brother, saying he had lived a modest life and had treated people like a close friend.
“Anyone that’s ever met Paul, he’d never met a stranger in his life,” an emotional Cody continued. “He was so low-key, he had lived such a modest life. He would tell me how he was jealous of me because I still have my anonymity… it was so funny to hear that come from him.”
When asked about the details of his and 36-year-old Caleb’s involvement in “Fast & Furious 7,” Cody declined, saying he couldn’t talk about it.
He talked about Paul’s latest completed film, “Brick Mansions,” though.
“Paul had been training in martial arts for many, many years. Brazilian jujitsu was his choice and when he came across this film, what an awesome opportunity to work alongside the founder of Parkour and to showcase some of his cool martial arts, the foot chases, the fight scenes.”
“Brick Mansions” is released on Friday, April 25, in the U.S., while “Fast & Furious 7” is expected to hit theatres on April 10 in 2015.
Paul Walker’s brothers have mixed feelings about filling in for their late brother. Caleb and Cody, who joined the cast of “Fast & Furious 7” to help finish Paul’s scenes, want to honour their older brother, but won’t be joining showbiz after the film.
Their sister, Ashlie, told Radar Online that the brothers, who are excited to film in Dubai, are being treated by the cast so well.
However, before agreeing to share Paul’s character Brian O’Conner,36-year-old Caleb and 25-year-old Cody weren’t so sure that they should do it.
“They have mixed feelings,” their sister said. “It’s emotional. And it’s been hard to step into Paul’s shoes and make a huge career move. They’ve been working with coaches on their scripts. They want to honour him and do the very best they can.”
Paul, 40, died on Nov 30, 2013 in a single car-accident. He had already filmed majority of his scenes for the latest instalment of the multi-billion film franchise, but still had a few more yet to shoot.
The production went on a hiatus afterwards as respect to their fallen cast member. Last week, the producers announced that Paul’s brothers have signed on with the film to finish his work.
The gig is just temporary, though, and won’t entire the siblings to enter Hollywood. Ashlie said that after the production of the film, Caleb, a restaurant owner, and Cody, a paramedic, will get back to their regular jobs.
“They’re not actors. This is just temporary,” Ashlie explained. “They just want to help complete the film because so many people were so invested. Paul was invested. Both have things about them that are so similar to Paul, even the way they walk. It was a natural decision.”
The entire Walker family, including Paul’s 15-year-old daughter Meadow, will be watching the film once it has completed.
Meanwhile, Vin Diesel posted a picture of Caleb and Cody on set with him on his Facebook page.
“When I heard the news, I left the production, grabbed a plane and took my family and Michelle back to LA… drove directly to his parent’s house,” he wrote.
“His Father said, Paul loved you Vin… I awkwardly and nervously said, aw come one… then he said… you don’t have to get along every second to love each other… so true.
“P.s. After spending time with his biological brothers, I must say to the parents, you raised some great kids.”
“Fast & Furious 7” is slated for April 10, 2015 release.
I personally had seen one fake account posing as Cody asking for “Likes” on all his posts, and that just disgusted me.
Well, in case you didn’t already know, Cody Walker, Paul’s brother, now has an official Facebook page (here) and has also joined Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW). Here’s an article:
Form by Paul Walker in 2010, Reach Out Worldwide aim to provide quick-response, mobile first aid services in rescue and recovery after major natural disasters around the globe.
On January 21st, Cody Walker has published a statement on behalf of the Walker Family, addressing his decision to serve the organisation as the brand manager:
“My family and I truly appreciate the support we have received during this difficult time. One of the many things I admired about my brother was his genuine desire to help others in need.
As many of you know, in 2010 Paul Walker founded Reach Out Worldwide, a disaster relief organization. It is with great honor that I have decided to join the ROWW team as Brand Manager. I look forward to working with like-minded individuals and partners to ensure ROWW continues to aid those in need in the years to come.
As Paul would say ‘when you put good will out there, it’s amazing what can be accomplished.’ We can all make a difference in this world and I am honored to join the ROWW team in fulfilling my brother’s legacy and ensure that the good my brother did lives on.”
The ROWW team has recently been deployed to Philippines to support the Typhoon Haiyan’s victims and despatched its second team for the EF4 Tornado in Illinois, Washington. In the past charity work, Paul Walker, along with all the ROWW team members aimed to aid the needy without attracting media attention – which was widely commended by the fans.