Fast cars falling off from airplanes with parachutes aren’t the biggest thing in the upcoming “Furious 7” franchise. It’s the stars-most especially the late Paul Walker. Vin Diesel talks about his co-star’s work as the film nears its release date.
The latest poster of the movie “Furious 7” has been unleashed as the supercar franchise nears its release date. Vin Diesel who plays Dominic Toretto, the ring leader to the band of misfits shared on his official Facebook account, the latest teaser poster of “Furious 7.”
The poster features him with co-actor, Paul Walker who portrays Brian O’Conner in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. With “Furious 7” known as the last film of the late Paul Walker, fans worldwide have been anticipating the release date coming this April.
Apart from “Furious 7” and the release date tagged at April 3, the poster of Diesel and Walker came with an inscription. Vin Diesel said, “Our objective was to make Paul Walker proud… After watching ‘Furious 7,’ and his timeless performance… we realized that it was Paul, who has made all of us… so very proud.”
Paul Walker’s death came unexpected as he was involved in a vehicular accident-not relating to filming any “Fast and Furious” franchise. His death in November 2013 slightly delayed production of “Furious 7,” as few scenes were left unfinished. Brothers of Paul Walker, Caleb and Cody Walker came in and stood in for the actor’s remaining scenes.
“Furious 7” creators didn’t change the storyline after the accident because they wanted to keep Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner’s memory alive. And as it has been reported that at least three more “Fast and Furious” movies are coming, Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Conner is said to say goodbye in “Furious 7,” but in a nicer and walk-out-into-the-sunset kind of way.
“Furious 7” release date is set on April 3, 2015.
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.
Vin Diesel understands how franchise movies work. While his return revived the dying franchise, he also knows that it kickstarted his career. So why will he quit after ‘Fast and Furious 7?’
It is as much a mystery as an uncertainty, but it is very evident that the confidence and swagger that he had after the success of “Fast and Furious 6” have diminished. Vin Diesel is as big a star as he’s ever been, but the loss of Paul Walker may have deflated the franchise.
The report from Yahoo Movies UK:
“Vin Diesel and other members of the cast will likely find filming difficult without their long term friend and it may be that working on the franchise loses a bit of its excitement and fun… some may find it just too strange to continue the franchise, particularly considering the nature of Walker’s untimely death.”
The producers have found a solution for the movie, but what happens afterwards is a big question mark, especially with Diesel. This has less to do with Walker’s death and more with the “Riddick” actor’s career options.
One of the more intriguing prospects is a possible Marvel project that he himself teased:
Yahoo Movies UK continues: “Diesel may also be led astray by his upcoming projects. He is starring in Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ which is likely to be, like all of Marvel’s other films, a huge success. Marvel don’t make stand alone films and particularly with the kind of box office the likes of ‘Iron Man’ and ‘The Avengers’ make, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ will almost certainly have countless sequels in the future. Never one to let a character go to waste, Diesel will also probably resurrect Riddick again for another outing one day but before that he is dredging up the character Xander Cage from ‘XXX’ for a third entry in that franchise after the last one starred Ice Cube. Add to these a videogame adaptation of ‘Kane and Lynch’, and Diesel looks set to be very busy over the next few years.”
While the idea of “countless sequels” may be a bit premature, there is also the notion that Diesel will have a different project with Marvel. One with more speaking lines.
“Fast and Furious 7” has a lot to offer. Jason Statham joins the franchise. James Wan of “Insidious” and “The Conjuring” fame steps aboard. The franchise will live on with or without Dominic Toretto or Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) as long as there is a story to tell. We’ll find out about that on April 10, 2015.
