It’s been less than a week since Furious 7 hit the big screen. If you’re a “Fast and Furious” die-heart fan like me, you undoubtedly have seen the film, which featured a musical tribute from Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth called “See You Again.”
It was a befitting swan song for actor Paul Walker who was killed in a tragic car accident in 2013. Since learning of Walker’s untimely death, we’ve waited and pondered how they would finish the film without one of its most popular, leading actors. We heard of his brothers Cody and Caleb Walker finishing his scenes, with the help of CGI. But for me, there was always this lingering doubt about whether it could be done, convincingly. But it was well worth the wait – cars parachuting from planes, Statham and Diesel going head-to-head, and Walker driving off into eternity on the open highway as he and Dom take one last ride.
Needless to say, after watching the film, those concerns are squelched and now I’m left to wonder: What now? This can’t be it, nor did the film imply it was the end. Since the film’s nemesis Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is seen being jailed in one of the final scenes. Shaw, the brother of Owen Shaw, who kidnapped Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and met his demise courtesy of Dom and his ‘family’ in “Furious 6,” is harboring a lot of resentment and makes it clear he still has unfinished business. So yes, more than likely they’ll all be back. But how will they come back?
When it comes to Walker, we know he won’t be back. But what does that mean for his onscreen family if there is a ‘Furious 8’? His wife Mia (Jordana Brewster), son, and baby-on-the-way; how will they factor into a sequel? After all, he wasn’t killed off. Instead, he presumably will lead a low key, drive slow, mini van life. So in all likelihood, the family has to bid farewell too, if not, it raises a lot of questions. They can’t get separated or divorced and they just can’t go away forever, never to be heard form again, especially considering how big Dom is on family. There has been buzz about little brother Cody Walker replacing Paul Walker, but frankly, that’s a bit too creepy for me, and one would imagine his family would agree. There has to be a believable, albeit predictable resolution to a more permanent retiring of Brian O’Connor.
Here’s how I see it playing out if there is a Furious 8 without Paul Walker:
A couple of years down the line, Dom learns that his sister Mia, along with Brian and their two little ones have been kidnapped while living a laid-back life in some tropical paradise. Presumed dead and in the midst of trying to uncover whodunit, Dom and the ‘family’ discover that an old enemy of his enemy, Deckard Shaw may be responsible for their disappearance. He needs Shaw’s help to find the covert kidnappers and with the help of Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), he visits Shaw, reluctantly asks for his help, and Shaw – for his own unknown reasons – decides to join the team, after all, the enemy of his enemy is his friend as he states in “Furious 7.” Although he has hatred for Dom, it’s revealed his wife and child were murdered by the same group. It’s a race against time when Dom finds out that his nephew and niece are alive and being held captive. Why? No one knows. Then again, it’s just my theory. How do you envision a ‘Furious 8’ sequel?
Image source: Universal Pictures
