There is no doubt that the late actor Paul Walker had a big contribution to the success of the street-racing series "Fast and Furious." With the actor gone in a very unexpected time, it was difficult for the rest of the cast to move on and his memory and wishes will live on in "Fast and Furious 8."
Paul Walker played the character of Brian O'Connor in the first seven franchises of the hit series. He was not able to finish filming the last installment due to his untimely death and the production used CGI over his brother to play his character.
While fans will always associate the character of Brian to Walker, according to News Everyday, before the actor landed the role other favorites included Eminem, Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. Since Paul is gone, nothing is left of him but his plans for the movie.
Michelle Rodriguez told People at the UNITAS Gala Against Sex Trafficking in New York City that the eight film will pay tribute to Walker.
"[Paul] wanted to bring it back down to the core, which is the racing," said Rodriguez. "He was always complaining about the special effects and the blue screens." The 37-year-old actress stressed that Paul wanted to put an end to "exaggerated explosions and crazy plot lines." Thus, "Fast 8" will try to keep it "true to Paul's wishes," disclosed the actress.
She believes that producer and co-star Vin Diesel meant this, when he said that the focus on the next film will attempt to keep it true to the car audience. "Hopefully we'll be able to do that cause it's gotten bigger than ever and you know we also have to stay true to that so it'll be a challenge," she added.
Walker died in a car crash on Nov. 20, 2013 while filming "Furious 7." When "Fast and Furious 7" was released it became Paul's legacy, breaking the hearts of the fans around the world, while breaking the series' records as well.
According to Venture Capital Post, "Furious 7" is the most successful among the seven installments, both in ratings and box office earnings. Diesel recognized this when he told MTV News during the Movie Awards, "The fact that the world embraced it and allowed it to be Paul's legacy, it's just a beautiful thing."
"Paul used to say that ['Fast & Furious'] 8 was guaranteed and, in some ways, when you're brother guarantees something, you have to make sure it comes to pass," added the producer-star. "So, if fate has it—fate, F8—then you'll get it. 'Furious 7′ was for Paul; 8 is from Paul."
"Fast and Furious 8" will be released on April 14, 2017.
