Universal Studios is currently working to salvage existing footage that was shot for Fast & Furious 7, including scenes that feature Paul Walker. The hope is to find a tasteful way to write out his character, Brian O'Connor, instead of trying to restart production of the film from scratch.
It has been reported that filming on the seventh installment of the film was already halfway complete before Walker's tragic car accident that resulted in his death. According to IGN, studio chairman Donna Lengley and production co-president Jeffrey Kirschenbaum were given the chagrin task of trying to find a creative solution to completing Fast & Furious 7.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Morgan is currently writing a revised version of the script to try and find a way to write out Walker's character that is both respectful to the family, friends and fans of the recently deceased actor as well as something that is believable within the canon of the films.
In the event that Morgan's draft is suitable, Universal could restart production on the film as early as January. However, this is not entirely likely and is only a best-case scenario. For now, production remains suspended indefinitely and the release date of July 11 for the film has been scrapped entirely.
It would be a win win for the fans and the studio, which has already spend roughly $150 million on what it has currently done for the filming and production of Fast & Furious 7, "a bill that its insurance firm, Fireman's Fund, might have to pay in full if Universal concludes the picture must be started completely from scratch," The Hollywood Reporter notes. If that happens, it could end up being the biggest insurance claim in Hollywood history.
Tell us what you think. Would you be comfortable with a reshot version of the film featuring an unsuspecting Paul Walker being written out of the role? Comment and share your thoughts on this tragic matter with us below.
