Mixed feelings at Music Times as Universal has indicated that it's planning another sequel for the Fast and Furious franchise, despite the death of star Paul Walker. Vin Diesel, Walker's friend and costar throughout the franchise, discussed the forthcoming film while attending CinemaCon.
"We're going to make the best movie you've ever seen," he said.
Obviously some bout of hyperbole on his part but can the next film realistically come close to the epic Furious 7? The series has continue to one-up itself from film-to-film in terms of stunts, and the most recent entry involves cars skydiving out of planes, as well as a chase across the roofs of skyscrapers. What could possibly come next?
The more poignant issue in the minds of fans, however, is whether it's right to go forward with the franchise in light of the passing of Walker. Universal got the actor's brothers to help fill in for unfinished scenes for the current film, but they won't be able to recreate the Brian O'Conner character for the new film. Aside from that, many were under the impression that Furious 7 was meant to deliver some sort of closure, one last film to cap Walker's career. Let's be honest: Everyone's least favorite entry in the Furious series has to be Tokyo Drift...the one film not featuring Walker.
There are some things the sentimental in the film industry can't fight against however: success. Furious 7 has been the most critically lauded chapter in the series and is well on its way to being the most financially successful as well, having brought in more than $1.1 billion worldwide already. The soundtrack has also been a massive success, topping the Billboard 200 while Wiz Khalifa's Walker-tribute "See You Again" has topped the Hot 100 for two weeks.
Diesel has to be nervous trying to live up to that precedent with Furious 8. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters during April of 2017.
