'Fast 7' Recruits Paul Walker's Brothers to Finish Late Actor's Scenes
"Fast
& Furious 7" filmmakers announced today on Facebook that Paul
Walker's brothers are on the film set to help finish out some of the
late actor's action scenes. Production was halted when Walker died in a
fiery car crash last Nov. and resumed just a few weeks ago.
Yahoo Movies
'Fast 7' Recruits Paul Walker's Brothers to Finish Late Actor's Scenes
The "Fast 7" filmmakers announced today on Facebook that Paul's two younger siblings, Cody and Caleb, are on the film set to help finish some of the late actor's action scenes. Production was halted when Walker died in a fiery car crash last Nov. — just weeks after he attended Caleb's wedding as his best man (see above photo).
Cody Walker, in his mid-twenties and the youngest of the three Walker brothers, is a trained paramedic and now works with is late brother's Reach Out Worldwide charity. Caleb Walker is in his late thirties.
"Fast 7" filming resumed just a few weeks ago.
Here is the announcement in its entirety:
A Note to the Fans of FAST & FURIOUS
The FAST & FURIOUS saga is about
family. The characters are connected by the bond of family, and it is
how all of us who have worked together for more than thirteen years feel
about each other. It certainly defines how we feel about our fans.
Our family experienced an unthinkable
shock in November. We had to take time to grieve Paul, the brother we
love and lost, and to figure out if we should move on with our film.
We came together and all felt the
only choice was to continue. We believe our fans want that, and we
believe Paul would want that too. Paul had already shot his dramatic
scenes and most of his action for FAST & FURIOUS 7, and it’s among
the strongest work of his career.
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.
We are just under a year away from
the release of FAST & FURIOUS 7, and this film is the most important
we’ve ever done together. It will allow the character of Brian O’Conner
to live on and let us celebrate Paul in his most defining role.
We wanted to take a moment to speak
to our fans directly and thank you for the love and support you always
show us as we resume our work.
Walker's untimely death presented challenges for the film's completion. Before production resumed, insiders told Yahoo
there were several scenes with Walker that had not been shot and that
two-thirds of the script needed to be rewritten to accomodate his loss.
Indeed, in the days following his death, studio execs, producers,
director James Wan, and Vin Diesel were in a scramble to revamp the film
and consulted with Walker's family to decide on an option that would be
respectful to the late star.Rather than have Walker killed off from the popular action franchise, The Hollywood Reporter had sources saying Walker's character, Brian O'Conner, would instead be "retired."
The original "Fast 7" release date of July 11, 2014 was also shifted to April 10, 2015 following Walker's death. The film, currently shooting on location outside of the U.S., is on track for its release next year.
Diesel posted a video from the set just yesterday, honoring his fallen friend and co-star by acceptting their MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo, an honor voted upon by the franchise's many fans.
Fans will also get a chance to see one of Walker's final performances in "Brick Mansions," a high-concept, parkour-packed action-thriller that opens April 25.
See Paul Walker in the "Brick Mansions" theatrical trailer:
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