While we're still stunned over
Paul Walker's tragic death over the weekend, there is some good news for fans, as insiders reveal that Fast and Furious 7 will make it into theaters, though a bit later than planned.
A source for Universal told the Hollywood Reporter that there will be a delay and the studio is still trying to figure out how to adjust the storyline, but the movie "will not be abandoned entirely."
Fast 7 was on hiatus for the Thanksgiving holiday, and Walker was scheduled to return to Atlanta on Sunday to resume shooting. Walker and the rest of the cast were scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi to film additional scenes, so even though insiders tell THR a large part of the film had been shot, it seems like several key scenes will need to be re-worked.
Director
James Wan and Universal execs held a conference call on Sunday morning to discuss the future of the film, and they are trying to figure out "how to proceed in a manner that would be respectful to Walker's death."
The film was set to hit theaters on July 11, and it was on an expedited schedule in order to make that release date, but the studio has yet to comment on how Walker's fatal car accident will affect the film.
Walker and longtime pal
Roger Rodas died when the actor's Porsche GT crashed into a tree and caught on fire on Saturday afternoon. The two were at a car show to raise money for the Philippines typhoon relief effort.
"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," a spokesperson for Universal said in a statement on Saturday night. "Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."