"Eternal Brother" Paul Walker 12th Anniversary... Vin Diesel Teases 'Brian O'Conner' Return in 2027 Finale

It has been 12 years since actor Paul Walker, who remains the eternal 'Brian O'Conner' in the hearts of movie fans worldwide, passed away. His colleague Vin Diesel promised an emotional reunion in the final chapter of the series to honor him.

On December 1 (local time), major foreign media outlets focused on the life and legacy of the late actor in their "Today in History" segments, marking the 12th anniversary of Paul Walker's death on November 30.

◆ A Star That Left Too Soon... The Lingering Longing

Paul Walker tragically died in a car accident involving a Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas on November 30, 2013, at the age of 40. The shock was even greater as filming for 'Furious 7' was in full swing at the time.

The American media outlet 'The Ringer' recently shared excerpts from a newly published book that conveyed the chaotic situation at that time. Rob Cohen, the director who opened the series, recalled, "I was in pain, unable to understand why God took one of the best people, Paul."

Universal Pictures faced a crossroads of halting or continuing production amid deep mourning, but ultimately, they resurrected him on screen using CGI technology, with his brothers Cody and Caleb Walker serving as stand-ins, completing one of the most beautiful farewells in film history.

◆ 2027 'Last Dance'... Brian Returns

Paul Walker may be gone, but Brian in 'Fast & Furious' is still alive. Vin Diesel, the producer and star of the series, recently revealed specific plans for the upcoming 'Fast & Furious 11' scheduled for release in April 2027.

Vin Diesel stated, "When the studio wanted a finale in 2027, I set three conditions: first, to return the franchise to its hometown of LA; second, to go back to the roots of car racing."

He identified the most important third condition as "reuniting Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker)". He indicated that "we cannot end this long journey without Brian," hinting at overcoming technical limitations to include the late actor's character in the final story, raising fans' expectations.

Though 12 years have passed, as Vin Diesel tearfully stated in his tribute, "I wish I could see all this love," Paul Walker still stands at the center of 'family'.