In a poignant announcement via Facebook, actor and producer Vin Diesel says Universal Pictures’ Fast And Furious 7 will be theatrically released on April 10, 2015, ultimately pushing back the original release date for July 11, 2014. The news comes less than a month after the public learned the shocking news of fellow lead actor Paul Walker‘s death on the afternoon of November 30, 2013 during Thanksgiving break as the movie was still in the middle of an elaborate filming schedule.
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Developments surrounding the film’s recovery since early December have since remained with the news that the studio would not be scrapping the film entirely, but find a way to edit and complete the film in a way that would best honor
Walker‘s memory. Furthermore, it remains unconfirmed, but was also
speculated that Walker’s younger brother, stuntman
Cody Walker, would take his late brother’s place to help complete the remaining shots of the film, which would evidently mean digitally inserting
Paul‘s face and voice into the film.
There is no offcial word yet on how today news will affect the previously-reported back-to-back filming of the seventh and eighth film in accordance with the new trilogy. We will eventually learn more as the news progresses, with production now back in full swing.
In other news,
Walker, who died tragically in a car crash with friend Roger Rodas, was laid to rest in a peaceful and private ceremony earlier this month in Los Angeles with friends and family attending.
Directed by James Wan and produced by Neal Moritz, Fast And Furious 7 will star Diesel and late actor Walker with Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Christopher Bridges, Dwayne Johnson and Lucas Black, with Jason Statham, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tony Jaa, Kurt Russell, Djimon Hounsou, Ronda Rousey and John Brotherton.
Walker is also set to appear in next year’s release of parkour action thriller, Brick Mansions, from director Camille Delamarre. In addition, the late actor can currently be seen in the latest DVD/Blu-Ray/VoD releases of Fast And Furious 6 and the Hurricane Katrina rescue suspense thriller, Hours, of which portions of the proceeds from purchases currently go to Walker‘s charity, Reach Out Worldwide.
Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
