Paul Walker is a huge part of every one of the previous "Fast and the Furious" films and the movie producers are working hard to think of ways to bring back his character to upcoming films. Subsequent to NBC Universal's official announcement of "Fast and Furious 8," NBCU vice-chairman Ron Meyer answered the speculations surrounding Paul Walker's character in the future film in the franchise.
Meyer said during an interview he had done exclusively with Variety last month, "Paul won't be in it, but he'll be represented in some form or another but whether his image is in it, I can't tell you yet, but he won't be in the film as a performer, as an actor, the way we did it last time." Furthermore, he added that "It will still be 'Fast and Furious,' it will just be without Paul."
However, this statement from Meyer did not provide any clear answer on whether Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker's character) will be portrayed by a body double enhanced by CGI effects, or if they will opt for another actor to play as O'Conner such as in the case of the "Fast and Furious 7" where Cody Walker (Paul's brother) played as the deceased actor's body double.
The "Fast and Furious 8" is just the first of a last trilogy that producers have planned for, according to a report by Ecumenical News. If they opt to keep using the CGI effects, the effects team will surely be faced with a huge task. They must be prepared for the task beforehand especially since viewers tend to have a sense of realistic portrayal.
In the meantime, Vin Diesel dropped the names of a few Hollywood celebrities whom he wishes to work with in the upcoming film, "Fast and Furious 8," and one of them is Helen Mirren who co-starred with him in "The Last Witch Hunter." Another one is the gorgeous Indian celebrity, Deepika Padukone.
"Fast and Furious 8" is already set for a tentative release schedule which is the 15th of April in 2017.