Paul Walker’s Fast & Furious character will not be killed in the franchise’s seventh film, according to a report last week. Instead, Universal is looking to retire the character.
On Friday, sources for The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Brian O'Conner, who Walker has played in the films, will retire, using footage of Walker shot before his tragic Nov. 30 death. Shooting was already halfway through when Walker died.
The change has required some script adjustments, but since the film has now been delayed by nearly a year, Universal expects to finish in time. As star Vin Diesel himself announced late last month, Fast & Furious 7 has now been rescheduled for April 10, 2015.
James Wan is directing the film and writer Chris Morgan and producer Jeffrey Kirschenbaum have been looking for ways to be respectful to Walker and his fans.
The news from THR came just after the final coroner’s report on Walker’s death was released. He was a passenger in a Porsche being driven by friend Roger Rodas, who also died in the crash. Walker was 40-years-old.
You can check out our Top 10 of best Brian O’Connor moments here.
image: Universal/image.net