After thetragic deathof the belovedPaul Walker, during a break in shooting onFurious 7, the production shut down for several months for the filmmakers to figure out how to wrap up his story. The actor had shot roughly half of his scenes at the time of his death in November 2013, and when production resumed, the filmmakers brought on the late actor’s brothersCody WalkerandCaleb Walkerto stand in for him in certain scenes. Earlier today, a rumor surfaced thatCody Walkerwill return inFast & Furious 8, except this time he will be playing his own new character. However,Polygonreached out to Universal Pictures, and the studio debunked the rumor, stating, “There’s no truth behind it.”
The rumor surfaced whenCody Walker’s name surfaced on the IMDB page forFast & Furious 8, although it was later removed. Back in October, Universal vice chairmanRon Meyerstated in an interview thatPaul Walker’s character Brian O’Connor would not be featured in future movies, but he would be “represented in some form or another.” Of course, he wouldn’t elaborate on how Brian O’Connor could be implemented in these future sequels, but it’s possible that he may be used in flashbacks with previously-used footage, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
No story details have been confirmed at this time, but the sequel is certainly shaping up to be an international affair. We reported yesterday that the production is heading toIcelandfor part of its shoot this spring, where the cast and crew are planning to pull off the biggest explosion in the country’s history. Another report from last month revealed that the production is eyeing a shoot in Cuba, which would make it the first major motion picture to shoot in the country in over 50 years, but the Cuba shoot hasn’t been confirmed yet either.
TheFast & Furiousfranchise started in Los Angeles with 2001’sThe Fast and the Furious.The beloved film series quickly became an international affair, with its sequels set in Miami, Tokyo, Panama, Rio de Janeiro and London. No plot details have surfaced yet, butVin Dieselteased last year thatKurt Russell’sFurious 7character Mr. Nobody will play a key role in the sequel, which would start a new trilogy. This follow-up will also bring aboard a new director, withStraight Outta ComptondirectorF. Gary Graytaking the helm.
Aside from his role as a stand-in onFurious 7,Cody Walkerwill make his true acting debut inUSS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, which is set to debut on May 30. Since there is very little we know about the story thus far, hopefully we’ll learn & Furious 8before production begins this spring. Are you looking forward to seeing how the franchise will continue after the loss ofPaul Walker?
