November 30, 2013 marks the tenth anniversary of Paul Walker’s death. However, the Fast And The Furious series, with which the actor once celebrated his big break, lives on – and with it the character he plays, Brian O’Conner. That won’t change in the upcoming tenth film in the series (not counting the Hobbs & Shaw spin-off).
Director Louis Leterrier now confirmed that Brian O’Conner played by Paul Walker in “Fast and Furious 10‘ aka ‘Fast X’ will return. The Frenchman, who has experienced blockbusters and is known for films such as “The Transporter”, “The Incredible Hulk” and “The Unbelievable – Now You See Me”, only took over the scepter after (!) The recordings started and so following in Justin’s footsteps, Lin steps up, revealed talking to now the first details about the return of the character – and what is especially important.
CG reconstruction or old footage with the real Paul Walker?
We know that Brian O’Conner isn’t dead, he’s just retired to live a quiet, peaceful life. After all, as a father he bears a certain responsibility – and it is not at all appropriate to fly around the world day after day and risk his life. But after being mentioned in previous films, he is now ready to make a real return in Fast & Furious 10. In flesh and blood, so to speak.
“I think what James Wan did at the end of [„Fast & Furious“] 7 was perfect,” said Leterrier, with whom in an interview repeatedly emphasized how important it is to hit the right chord with such a scene: “Brian needs to return to the franchise as perfect as he left”continues the filmmaker – referring to what is perhaps the most emotional scene of the entire series, in which Brian O’Conner and Dominic Toretto – and symbolically Paul Walker and Vin Diesel – break up.
We remember: At the time, it was set to a mix of CGI animation and double (by Paul Walker’s brother)., to depict the deceased main character as realistically as possible. This would now be possible again. The technical resources are much more advanced today than they were at the time of “Fast & Furious 7” (2015), and Leterrier also revealed that the “Walker family is still part of the franchise”. “To what extent do you see in the film.”
The director didn’t want to go into much more detail, but he did reveal one thing. Leterrier affirms, “You’ll see Brian in the past, you won’t see him in the present.” So we won’t see an “elderly” Paul Walker. Instead, it would now be possible to shoot new scenes using the time-tested double CGI method – or perhaps even use scenes once shot with Paul Walker as flashbacks. In any case, not only the many well-known shots from the films can be considered, but perhaps also previously unused images. And especially from part 5…
“Fast & Furious 10”: Back to the roots
The recently released trailer for “Fast X” already suggests that the past will play a decisive role in the tenth part of the saga. In addition to Vin Diesel and a host of other franchise veterans such as Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang and Jason Statham, as well as Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Nathalie Emmanuel and John Cena, other superstars will take the “Fast” podium for the first times – but act at least in part as a bridge to the earlier events.
Of course, we’re also looking forward to Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson and “Reacher” shooter Alan Ritchson, but we’re especially excited about Jason Momoa’s debut, at the latest after the trailer. Finally we see him as the son of drug lord Reyes, played by Joaquim de Almeida – and we get a new perspective on the events of Fast & Furious 5, where Dom and Brian steal the crime lord’s safe.
How the past is connected to the present and how Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner is brought back again, we will see in almost three months at the latest: “Fast & Furious 10” opens in German cinemas on May 18, 2023 – and will then usher in the grand finale of Fast & Furious 11.