The character of Brian, played by the late Paul Walker , was incorporated into Fast X. Director Louis Leterrier confirmed this in an interview with Total Film.
The actor’s last appearance dates back to Fast & Furious 7 (Furious 7) , completed with the help of the brothers and the use of computer graphics, while in subsequent chapters he was only mentioned.
Letterrier was quick to point out that Walker will appear in flashbacks, to connect the Fast Five ending scenes we saw in the film’s first trailer. Here’s what she said:
“Well, Brian is very much alive in the world of Fast & Furious, and they’ve hinted at that a lot in the previous films. In the 9th, we see the car coming.
It’s something planned. This film moves between the past and the present. You will see Brian in the past, you will not see him in the present.
It’s something that everyone must agree on. The Walker family is still an integral part of this franchise, and you’ll see it in this film. It just has to be the right time, the right tone.”
He then concluded:
“Brian has to re-enter the franchise as perfectly as he left it.”
The cast:
Confirmed the return of Vin Diesel (Dom), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty), Tyrese Gibson (Roman), Ludacris (Tej), Sung Kang (Han), Nathalie Emmanuel (Ramsey), Jordana Brewster (Mia), Charlize Theron (Cipher) and Helen Mirren (Queenie) . The returns of John Cena (Jakob Toretto, Dom’s brother) and Jason Statham are also rumored .
Newcomers include Jason Momoa , Brie Larson (Tess) and Rita Moreno , as Dom’s grandmother.
The film is directed by Louis Letterier who replaces Justin Lin ( F9: The Fast Saga ), who left the project as director due to disagreements with Diesel . ( HERE you can find more information).
Lin co-wrote the film with Dan Mazeau , and remains on board as a producer alongside Diesel, Neal Moritz, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent .
The film will be distributed by Universal in the USA from May 19, 2023 , in the Italian ones from May 18.