Paul Walker.Photo: Universal Studios
Warning: The following contains spoilers forF9.
More than seven years after his death,Paul Walker’sFast & Furiouscharacter Brian O’Conner is still very much “a part of the universe,” according toF9directorJustin Lin.
The last time we saw Brian, he was driving into the sunset inFurious 7— the 2015 film that Walker had been shooting at the time ofhis death in November 2013. Brian and wife Mia (Jordana Brewster) were not in the following installment,The Fate of the Furious.
But asEntertainment Tonightreports alongside an exclusive interview with Lin, 49, Brian makes a return in a small cameo at the end ofF9, after Dom (Vin Diesel) points out an “empty chair” during a family dinner.
Mia tells her brother that her husband is “on the way” — before viewers are treated to a scene in which Brian’s iconic blue GT-R speeds up the street and he parks in the driveway to, presumably, join the family meal.
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Vin Diesel and Paul Walker inThe Fast and the Furious(2001).Universal/Getty
Lin tellsETthatWalker and his characterare “so special I know to me personally and to all the fans around the world and it’s something that we don’t take lightly.”
“I’m proud and I’m so happy that Brian O’Conner is still a part of the universe,” he adds. “I talk to Vin all the time about how we can honor him respectfully.”
Ludacris, who reprises his role of Tej Parker, says the team “continues to consult with” Walker’sbrothers, Cody and Caleb, as well as his daughterMeadow, on how to incorporate Brian into each subsequent film.
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in March 2009.Kevin Winter/Getty
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Diesel, 53, has played Dom Toretto for the past 20 years — and recently said during an appearance onTheKelly ClarksonShowthat he felt Walker “sent"John Cenato play his brother, Jakob Toretto.
“[Cena] comes into the shrine one morning, and I had this strange feeling … that Paul Walker had sent him,” Diesel said, adding that the moment was “very magical.”
Last week, the actor also teased the possibility of Meadow, 22,appearing in the franchiseat some point.
“I would not count anything out,” Diesel toldE! News’Daily Pop. “Without giving you all of the secrets ofFast 10… let’s just say nothing’s ruled out.”
F9is in theaters now.
source: people.com
