Those baby blue eyes had girls swooning since the first instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise. Twelve years later, those baby blues had the whole world in tears. The actor passed away in a car accident on Saturday, during an event for his charity, Reaching Out Worldwide, at the age of 40. Walker was in Santa Clarita for a car show to support the Philippines typhoon relief effort and went for a ride with a friend in a new Porsche GT.
“He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives,” Walker’s representative said in a statement.
The shock still hangs in the air. Fans and celebrities alike have taken to social networking websites to express their grief. The actor was loved by many. “All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul’s family,” Universal Studios said in a statement.
The irony is bittersweet, a man who spent most of his career behind the wheel of one super car or another, lost his life in one. The question remains though, what will now happen to the Fast and Furious franchise? Currently in it’s the 7th instalment, the movie was supposed to be released in July 2014, and the cast was headed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates early next year in order to film it.
The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported over the weekend that Universal executives met with director James Wan in order to discuss any necessary rewrites, and how to continue production on the film following Walker’s tragic death. While no announcements have been made regarding a change in the release date, it is likely that it will be pushed forward. The Fast and Furious franchise just isn’t the same without Walker, may his soul rest in piece.
Former co-stars react on Twitter
Vin Diesel: Brother, I will miss you very much. Heaven has gained a new angel. Rest in peace
Dwayne Johnson: All my strength, love & faith to the Walker family during this heartbreaking time. We find our strength in his light. Love you brother.
Jessica Alba: #RIPPaulWalker — he was a lovely person -so sweet and grounded. My heart goes out to his family.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2013.
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