Vin Diesel announced that Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner is returning for Fast X: Part 2, leading to many questions about how this is possible. The next entry in the Fast & Furious franchise has plenty of speculation after ending with a cliffhanger and the surprising return of Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs. Two years later, Diesel has finally addressed what fans can expect in the final chapter.
At FuelFest in Los Angeles, Diesel shared four bombshell reveals about the next film to a roaring crowd. He said Universal wants the film to release in April 2027, but he shared three requirements he had for that to be possible. One of those demands was bringing back Walker’s character, whose last appearance was in Furious 7.
Walker died in a car crash in 2013 during a break from production on Furious 7. However, the actor’s character, Brian, remained alive in the franchise, as he retired to raise a family with Dom Toretto’s sister, Mia. It’s shocking to hear he’s returning to the franchise 12 years after his death, but the franchise has already proved how they can do it.
Will Fast & Furious 11 Use CGI To Bring Back Paul Walker’s Brian?
The Franchise Already Used This Technique In Furious 7
Furious 7 was about halfway through production when Walker died, meaning the actor had already sH๏τ many of his scenes. Brian was a pivotal character in the series, making it difficult to finish the film without one of its most essential actors. Fortunately, director James Wan and a talented crew found a way for Walker to finish the movie while also paying tribute to him.
Following his death, Walker’s storyline was rewritten, including the ending where he drives off into the sunset. His additional scenes were created through 350 sH๏τs of Walker, 90 of which came from archival footage from past films that were reused and polished. The other 260 were created by having Walker’s brothers, Cody and Caleb, act as stand-ins with Paul’s face CGI’d over theirs in post-production.
These were tragic and difficult circumstances to work under, but the film made these scenes work surprisingly well. It was often hard to tell when it was actually Walker or one of his brothers, and the film’s new ending was a respectful and bittersweet tribute that is one of the franchise’s best moments.
Why Brian Has To Return In Fast & Furious 11
The Whole Family Needs To Be In The Finale
Brian had one of the most compelling arcs in the Fast franchise. He started out as an undercover cop who infiltrated Toretto’s crew and saved Dom, rather than arresting him, leading to his removal from the LAPD. In 2009’s Fast & Furious, Brian returns to law enforcement with the FBI, but eventually resigns and rejoins Dom and his accomplices to break Dom out of jail.
Despite their initial hostility toward each other, Dom and Brian became loyal friends, and eventually family. Their relationship was a key part of what made the franchise great, and his return in the finale would perfectly wrap up his story while reuniting the whole family. It would add more closure to the story and tie everything together in an action-packed bow.
How Brian Could Fit Into Fast & Furious 11’s Story
Jason Momoa’s Dante Could Go After His Family
Jason Momoa’s Dante was a highlight of Fast X, particularly because of how unhinged he is as a villain. He is hellbent on revenge against Dom and his family after they stole all the money in his family’s vault in Fast Five. No one is off limits to Dante, including Dom’s son, and his mission won’t be completed until he has taken out all of Dom’s family.
Brian was involved in Fast Five‘s vault heist, meaning it’s likely that Dante’s crew could go after him and his family in Fast 11. He may have to come out of retirement to help Dom defeat Dante and save his own family. Since Diesel says he wants to bring street racing back to the franchise, Brian could come back for a race or two.
How Big A Role Can Brian Have In Fast & Furious 11?
Vin Diesel Sounds Excited For His Return
Based on Diesel’s comments, it sounds like Brian won’t just be returning for a small cameo. Otherwise, Diesel would just save that surprise for the film. For story purposes, Brian could have a prominent role. He’s one of Dom’s most trusted allies and would be willing to return if his family were in danger. However, the larger Brian’s role, the more difficult Fast 11 is to make.
Walker’s role would have to be completely digital, adding more laborious hours for the visual effects teams and increasing the film’s budget. Unfortunately, the Fast franchise’s box office hasn’t had the box office success it used to, so Universal may not be willing to sink so much money into Brian’s effects. It could work, but it’d be difficult to execute technically and financially.
Brian’s Fast & Furious 11 Return Could Be Risky
It Could Ruin Furious 7’s “See You Again” Ending
The Fast and Furious franchise already proved it could bring Walker back. However, as Jurᴀssic Park‘s Ian Malcolm said, just because they could, doesn’t mean they should. Furious 7 features a perfect ending to Brian’s story and a respectful tribute to Walker. Bringing him back for a prominent role in Fast X: Part 2 could damage this scene and ruin one of the franchise’s best moments.
It’s hard to imagine a better way to end a character’s journey and pay respects to a beloved actor.
With Dom’s sentimental narration, a montage of Brian’s best moments, and a beautiful sH๏τ of Brian driving off into the sunset, it’s hard to imagine a better way to end a character’s journey and pay respects to a beloved actor. F9 ends with a sH๏τ of Brian’s car arriving at the family cookout, and it may be better to leave it up to the viewer’s imagination rather than digitally recreating him.
