Paul Walker, the star of “Fast & Furious 7,” will be featured in the movie when it’s released in a year-and-a-half.
Walker died in a fiery car crash last month as the film’s producers were still filming the movie, and executives were forced to hold meetings as to what to do next, according to reports last week.
Over the weekend, star Vin Diesel announced that the movie would be out in April 2015--nine months later than the original July 2014 date.
“The last scene we filmed together … There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared … in the film we were now completing … the magic captured … and, in just how far we’ve come … Fast and Furious 7 will be released … April 10th 2015! P.S. He'd want you to know first …” wrote Diesel on his Facebook.
He posted a photo of Walker’s scene in the movie, implying that he would have a part in the film despite his untimely death.
Executives told The Hollywood Reporter that they were looking to find a way to salvage footage that was already produced for the movie instead of coming up with a new film. Reports have said that there’s already been $150 million sunken into the film.
There’s also been rumors that Walker’s brother, Cody Walker, could be tapped for a role in the film.
According to a report from the Daily Mail tabloid, the “Fast & Furious” producers had a meeting right after the crash.
“They soon realized they needed someone who looked like Paul to finish the movie and that’s when they approached his nearly identical brother, Cody,” a source told the Daily Mail.
According to the source, “They can shoot Cody from behind and at distance and if it’s a shot they need Paul’s face in close up they can CGI it later on. If Cody agrees it’s because he wants to honor his brother’s memory. There are many details that still need to be worked out, but right now the family and cast and crew are all still grieving.”
Walker’s brother has been involved in movie stunt work in the past, and he is said to look similar to the actor.
The franchise has been one of Universal’s most lucrative, grossing almost $2.4 billion worldwide since 2001. The last film, “Fast & Furious 6,” made $789 million.
Production on “Fast & Furious 7” was on Thanksgiving break when Walker and his friend, Roger Rodas, died in a fiery crash in Valencia on Nov. 30. Rodas, 38, was driving his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT with Walker in the passenger seat.
Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have found no evidence of mechanical problems and have ruled out debris or other roadway conditions causing the car the slam into a light pole and tree. The investigation is ongoing, but law enforcement officials have said speed is believed to be the cause.
Shooting on “Fast & Furious 7” had been planned to resume in Atlanta two days after the crash, but Universal suspended production indefinitely.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Friends Read Free