It has been almost three years since Paul Walker was killed in an automobile accident. After that tragic day in November of 2013, an emergency meeting was held about the future of Furious 7, and it was decided that Walker's brothers Caleb and Cody Walker would serve as stand-ins. This experience has helped the Walker family heal, and Vin Diesel has also stated how much Paul Walker inspired him to become a father. In fact, there are rumors that Paul Walker's character could return to the franchise, possibly with the release date of Fast8.
Caleb and Cody Walker, Brothers of Paul Walker, Find Closure
According to Cinemablend, Caleb and Cody Walker had a lot of closure by standing in as their brother's character Brian O'Conner. It was common that the two brothers would not see Paul because he was busy filming, and Caleb and Cody had an opportunity to learn what it is all about from a first-hand experience.
It was also a way that the brothers could learn more about Paul's life by working with the people that he worked with so often, like Vin Diesel. Diesel even had some "great stories about Paul" that the brothers had never heard.
Vin Diesel Learns Much from Paul about Being a Father
Vin Diesel has been very outspoken about his friendship with Paul Walker. He recently shared with Today that Walker was not just a role model, but it was his influence that put Diesel on the path to parenthood.
Diesel has even said on a video for Walker's charity, Reach Out Worldwide, that Paul was "God-sent, because he put me on the right path". Walker was already a father when he met Diesel on the set of the first The Fast and the Furious movie, and Paul gave Vin some good advice before Vin became a father himself.
Diesel has three children Hania (8), Vincent (6), and Pauline (1). In case you are wondering, Pauline is named after Paul Walker.
Vin Diesel Bringing Paul Walker's Character Brian O'Conner Back for Fast8?
According to AV Club, Vin Diesel feels "there's more of O'Conner's story to tell", and has actually discussed the possibility of returning Paul Walker's character to the Fast and Furious franchise in some form. In fact, Diesel has talked to Caleb and Cody Walker about it, but there hasn't been much news on that front as yet. Perhaps someone will replace Paul Walker, besides his brothers.
Fans of the hit franchise from Universal know that Brian O'Conner was given his drive into the sunset as a tribute to the late actor in Furious 7. It implied that he had his happy ending with Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), and wouldn't be seen again. It has been revealed that Jordana Brewster probably won't appear in at least the next movie, according to MoviePilot.
Fast8 Release Date and New Trilogy
In the meantime, Fast8 is on track to hit theaters on April 14, 2017. Not much is known about it, but Charlize Theron has joined the cast as the villain Cipher, and there will also be a Fast 9 and Fast 10, as this is the start of a new trilogy.
