Summary
Vin Diesel just confirmed the one thing that promises to doomFast X: Part 2. TheFast & Furiousfranchise has been going since 2001, spawning numerous sequels. The eleventh mainline entry,Fast X: Part 2is set to bring the series to a close with multiple returning cast members. While the franchise has seen its ups and downs, many hope the last movie will end on one last high note for the car-centric films.
While at the recent FuelFest (viaEntertainment Weekly), Vin Diesel revealed to the crowd that the next sequel will hit theaters in April 2027, and that he had three conditions that needed to be met. Diesel stated,“First, is to bring the franchise back to L.A.! The second thing was to return to the car culture, to the street racing.“However, the actor’s final condition was something that many may see as a controversial decision, as he said:
The third thing was reuniting Dom and Brian O’Conner.
TheFast & FuriousFranchise Already Gave Paul Walker The Send-Off He Deserved
Paul Walker played Brian O’Conner throughout theFast & Furiousfranchise, only sitting out the third film,The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. While the character began as an undercover cop attempting to bring Diesel’s Dom to justice, he is eventually folded into the Toretto family, even marrying Mia, Dom’s younger sister.Sadly, during the production ofFurious 7, Walker was killed in an accident during his free time away from the set.
Furious 7was put on hold while the cast and crew came to terms with the tragedy that rocked the production. While it was initially unknown how things would progress, the franchise eventually chose to push forward, amending the story as needed and utilizing the help of Walker’s brothers to help complete the film.Furious 7used filmmaking tricks and face-replacement CGI to help give Brian one last story, with the movie even featuring a very moving send-off to the character. While many aspects of the finished film proved lackluster,the way it honoredWalker’s memory stood out, giving audiences an emotional yet perfect goodbye.
Despite Brian O’Conner’s Absence Creating Plot Problems, He’s Not Needed
TheFast & Furiousfranchise has released three more mainline films since Walker’s passing, with varying degrees of success. The eighth installment offered a unique story that saw Dom turn on his family, withF9making the questionable choice to take the series into outer space. Brian has been mentioned throughout the story, as the character is generally believed to be off caring for his children while the rest of the family faces potential global threats that theybattle with their cars.
Given the franchise’s penchant for family, having Brian as a caring father works, but his absence is notable when Mia is still along for the adventure.By continuing to include her,Fast & Furioushas createdfurther complications. Brian was never the type to sit out, no matter how dangerous things got, especially if his wife was involved with the terrifying stakes they found themselves facing. If he’s willing to sit out, it would make more sense for Mia to refrain from her dangerous life like Brian.
While this causes obvious issues with the plot, fans have been content, knowing what happened to Walker, and allowing the story to continue without him. Because Brian’s absence feels more glaring when Mia is around, the franchise could easily move on without her, even making the story easier for audiences.
Fast & FuriousNeeds To Let Paul Walker Rest In Peace
WhileDiesel didn’t disclose the scale of Brian’sinclusion inFast X: Part 2, the actor may push for the character to be heavily involved, given that it is meant to be the last movie. Giving Brian a big story arc throughout the movie could potentially alienate fans and prove to be another unnecessary challenge for the production.While it may initially appear to be a way to honor the actor in the franchise one last time, it could also read as exploitative to Walker’s memory, with the production using his name to bolster attention. Even if Brian only appears in a small scene to give the character one final goodbye as the franchise comes to a close, it could prove to be one step too far, attempting to milk the actor’s memory for cheap emotional impact rather than a meaningful story.
Diesel also refers to reuniting Dom and Brian, as the two formed a brotherhood and became a found family in the franchise. While this is important, Mia became Brian’s most meaningful relationship, as they married and had children together. If Brian’s resurgence focuses too much on him and Dom versus him and Mia, it could further tarnish the character’s legacy in addition to hurting Walker’s.
TheFast & Furiousfranchiseis likely best served by allowing Paul Walker to rest in peace, with Brian not returning to the series. However, ifFast X: Part 2insists on bringing the character back, it should be left to a small, impactful role, with the actor’s family again offering their support. Even then, the sequel presents itself with a perilous tightrope to walk.
