Paul Walker was one of the original stars of the Fast and Furious franchise, playing Brian O’Connor in seven movies until his tragic death in 2013. His character was retired on-screen at the end of Furious 7, but his presence has been felt throughout the series ever since.
Now, fans are wondering if Walker will make a surprise appearance in the latest installment, Fast X, which hits theaters on May 19. The rumors started when his daughter, Meadow Walker Thornton-Allan, revealed on Instagram that she has a cameo role in the movie.
Who is Meadow Walker and what is her role in Fast X?
Meadow Walker is the 24-year-old daughter of Paul Walker and his ex-girlfriend Rebecca Soteros. She is also an actress and a model, who has appeared in campaigns for Proenza Schouler and Givenchy.
In a heartfelt post, Meadow shared a behind-the-scenes photo of her on set, showing her as a flight attendant who hands Jakob Toretto (John Cena) some drinks. She wrote:
“A preview of my cameo in Fast X. The first fast was released when I was one year old! I grew up on set watching my father, Vin [Diesel], Jordana [Brewster], Michelle [Rodriguez], Chris [Ludacris] and more on the monitors. Thanks to my dad, I was born into the fast family.
I can’t believe now I get to be up there too. With those who have been around to see me grow up.
I am so blessed to be able to honor my father’s legacy and share this with him forever x. I love you all so much.”
Her co-stars and fans were quick to show their support and excitement for her cameo, which is also a tribute to her father’s legacy.
How does Paul Walker’s character fit into Fast X?
Although Meadow’s cameo is not directly related to Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Connor, he is still mentioned and honored in Fast X. In fact, the movie ends with a touching nod to him, as his blue Nissan Skyline pulls up to join Dom (Vin Diesel) and his family for a barbecue.
The movie also explains why Brian is not involved in the main action, as he is taking care of Dom’s son Brian (named after him) and Mia (Jordana Brewster), who is Jakob’s sister. Mia decides to join Dom and the crew to help stop Jakob, but she assures Dom that Brian is safe with their kids.
According to director Louis Leterrier, who took over from Justin Lin midway through production, the decision to include Brian in the movie was made with respect and care.
“We wanted to honor Paul’s memory and his character without being disrespectful or exploitative. We consulted with his family and his friends, and we came up with a way to keep him alive in the story without showing him on screen. We felt that this was the best way to pay tribute to him and his fans.”
What does Fast X mean for the future of the franchise?
Fast X is the 10th movie in the Fast Saga, which started in 2001 with The Fast and the Furious. The franchise has become one of the most successful and popular in Hollywood history, grossing over $6 billion worldwide and spawning several spin-offs and video games.
The movie also introduces new characters and villains, such as Jason Momoa’s Dante, Brie Larson’s Riley Shaw, Cardi B’s Leysa, and Charlize Theron’s Cipher. It also features some familiar faces from previous movies, such as Han (Sung Kang), Sean (Lucas Black), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Queenie (Helen Mirren), Magdalene (Dame Judi Dench), Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell), and more.
However, Fast X is not the end of the road for the Fast Saga. There are two more movies planned for the main series, which will conclude Dom’s story arc. Leterrier will return to direct both movies, which are expected to be released in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
There are also potential spin-offs and prequels in development, such as a female-led movie starring Rodriguez and Brewster, a Hobbs & Shaw sequel starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, and a Han solo movie starring Kang.
Conclusion
Fast X is a thrilling ride that celebrates the legacy of Paul Walker and his character Brian O’Connor. The movie features a cameo by his daughter Meadow Walker Thornton-Allan , who honors her father’s memory and joins the fast family.
The movie also sets up the final chapter of the Fast Saga, which will wrap up Dom’s story and pave the way for new adventures. Fast X is a must-see for fans of the franchise and anyone who loves action-packed movies with heart.
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