'Fast & Furious 7' Production Team Working to Keep Paul Walker in the Film

In a fantastic write-up done by The Hollywood Reporter, word comes that Universal Studios and the makers behind the Fast & Furious franchise are indeed working to rewrite the film in order to keep the late Paul Walker's scenes included and give his character of Brian O'Conner a fitting send-off.

The article goes into lengthy detail about what's been going on behind the scenes including having the cast & crew put 'on-hold' even though they can only legally be for so long, bringing in franchise writer Chris Morgan to rework the film's script so they can salvage what footage Paul Walker had shot, and eying a January production restart date in hopes the film can be finished up.

The studio and filmmakers behind the 7th installment of the popular car racing/heist franchise are facing an unprecedented crisis in having one of its lead actors and series staples die tragically only halfway through production.  Much has been discussed about how the film would be completed and sources say that while the 'ideal' option is to give Paul Walker his swan song and work his character's exit into the film, the studio is realistic that if it can't be done 'right', they will have to put in the largest insurance claim in Hollywood history ($150 million) and restart production on the project.

I for one hope - like I'm sure many other do too - that the filmmakers can come up with a fitting way to use what footage Paul Walker had shot and rework the film in order to complete its planned story.

I will state this though.

There's been a a few who have said the best route would be to recast Paul Walker's character of Brian O'Conner and use another actor for not only this film, but future installments as well to complete the planned story arc they had in mind.  

NEVER.  WILL.  HAPPEN.

Not only is that an insult to Paul Walker - who played that character for well over a decade and is recognized for around the world - but to even think the cast & crew involved would go along with that idea is ridiculous.

That was his character.  No other actor should play him, nor do I think any actor would dare to try and step in those shoes knowing they would be set-up to fail.  It is why I think even with the tragedy that occurred, they will kill off Brian O'Conner.  To have his character 'live-on' in the series wouldn't make much sense considering it leaves it open for him to return at some point, which obviously, will never happen.

What I think is the best idea (along with what I feel will happen) is they will have Lucas Black's character of Sean Boswell step into Brian place in the series.  They will rewrite the script and have him in-place of scenes Brian was suppose to be in.

He's familiar to fans of the franchise - along with some figuring they were looking to 'pass the torch' onto his character anyway - so this just goes along with that sentiment.

What do you think should happen?

Sound off below.

Source:  The Hollywood Reporter

Comments

[Dave]

More importantly, will there ever any Pleasantville sequels?