Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto, gives a birthday homage to the late Paul Walker in a new teaser for Fast & Furious 11. The Fast & Furious franchise, which started off small in 2001, has grown to become one of the most popular action franchises worldwide. It is now preparing for the eleventh and maybe final installment in the Fast Saga. Following Fast X (2023), Fast & Furious 11 is confirmed to see Louis Leterrier return as director and Diesel reprise his role as Dom for another car-based adventure.
Diesel releases a heartfelt new Instagram photo on September 12th, Walker’s birthday, in honor of the Brian O’Conner actor who tragically died in 2013, as development on the impending sequel proceeds. Diesel claims the photo, which appears to be from around the time of the first Fast & Furious film’s premiere, shows the moment he and Walker realized their “brotherhood was going to change Hollywood.”
Fast & Furious 11 is mentioned in the post, and Diesel says he recently viewed some amazing concept art for the movie. The actor writes: “Brian… yeah, I will have to brace myself for this next film…” but does not confirm that Walker’s character will appear. This might be revealing. View Diesel’s post.
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In retrospect, 25 years ago… I think this was when we realized that you and I had a purpose in the world and that our brotherhood would transform Hollywood. a multinational fraternity, united by love rather than blood
I can’t believe I just seen the concept art for the upcoming chapter. Brian Yes, I will need to prepare for this upcoming movie.
This summer, I got to see your father and mother. I sensed you in their tender hug. I have been holding words like talismans of light for the past eleven years; their love and wisdom have given me so much.
And speaking for our oceans, your daughter is indeed carrying on your wonderful deeds, my God. Only a few weeks ago, during a birthday dinner… Man, you would have been quite proud of Meadow when she made a toast. She speaks from the heart in a way that so wonderfully echoes the melody of grace.
No matter where I go in the globe, I always find someone to remind me of how much we’ve changed their lives. Either displaying their vehicles with pride, hehe, or just stating that they feel as though we raised them. A quarter century of that lovely kinship.
An eternal brotherhood bound by love. For that, I will always be thankful. But, Pablo, I really do miss you.
Cheers to your birthday!
The film is expected to address the cliffhanger ending of Fast X, which saw Dom and his son facing down a collapsing dam while the fates of Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Han (Sung Kang), and Ramsey (Natahlie Emmanuel) also hung in the balance. However, not much has been revealed about Fast & Furious 11 thus far. Along with the unexpected revelation that Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) is still alive, the movie also has a mid-credits scene in which Dwayne Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs, reappears.
The huge ensemble of Fast X may have contributed to the film’s poor reviews, but the next sequel doesn’t appear to be cutting back in this area either. Indeed, Diesel’s most recent post provides more evidence that Brian might be featured in the upcoming episode. In a March 2023 interview, Diesel previously stated that he “couldn’t imagine this saga ending without truly saying goodbye to Brian O’Conner.” The concept drawing Diesel viewed for Fast & Furious 11 might have something to do with Brian’s comeback.
Fast & Furious 11 does seem like the appropriate place for the franchise to wrap up, even though reviews for the last two episodes have been, at best, mediocre. Given the significant role Walker’s Brian had in the majority of the previous installments, including the critically acclaimed Fast Five (2011), it would be appropriate for the saga’s last movie to include a farewell of some sort. After all, Brian is still alive in the fictional universe.
As was done for portions of Furious 7 after Walker passed away in the middle of filming, this would most likely entail digitally bringing him back to life. Any similar moment in Fast & Furious 11 runs the danger of not feeling nearly as strong because the Furious 7 finale was shockingly poignant and perhaps the ideal farewell for Walker. But if the film stays brief and to the point, it might wind up permanently ending the Brian plot in a way that is emotionally rewarding.