Late actor Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in Fast Five. Filming of Fast & Furious 7 resumes March 31, four months after Walker’s sudden death.
When news hit that actor and racing enthusiast Paul Walker had been killed in a high-speed, single-car crash November 30, production on his last film, Fast & Furious 7, came to a halt. Now, after months of deliberation as to whether to continue the film’s production and, if so, how to most honorably deal with the loss of Walker on screen, fans finally have an answer.
The news came this week via a Facebook post by Vin Diesel, lead actor in the Fast & Furious film franchise and a close friend of Walker’s.
“The transition into that Dom state of mind has always been an interesting one… only this time there is added purpose, a collective goal to make this the best one in the series,” wrote Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto, an Italian American elite street racer, auto mechanic and ex-convict with a violent background and deep faith. “P.s. The long awaited completion of Seven, begins…”
Producers confirmed that crews will resume filming March 31 in Atlanta, where principal production had begun in September and had been scheduled to resume after last year’s Thanksgiving Day holiday. It’s not known how the film will handle Walker’s exit, but The Hollywood Reporter writes that his Brian O’Conner character will be “retired,” rather than killed off, and that the movie will feature existing footage Walker shot before his death. Originally slated for release in July, the film now is expected to hit theaters nationwide April 10, 2015. Meanwhile DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital HD copies of the extended version of Fast & Furious 6 are available via the film franchise’ official website. A portion of proceeds will benefit Walker’s charity, Reach Out Worldwide, which supports various disaster relief efforts.
What do you think, E3 Spark Plugs fans? Do you believe Fast & Furious 7 will suitably honor Walker’s legacy, or do you feel the franchise should be retired? Post your thoughts on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
