It’s an emotional time for the stars of the Fast & the Furious franchise. Following the tragic November 2013 death of Paul Walker and months of ensuing delays and an eventual return to shooting, Fast Seven completed filming this past weekend.
The cast and crew of the upcoming action sequel got together on Saturday evening, July 12, to fête the completion with a wrap party in Hollywood. Veteran Fast & Furious star Tyrese Gibson shared photos from the event, and reflected on the poignancy of the party in light of the loss of Walker.
Gibson, 35, posted a photo via Instagram of himself with Fast Seven director James Wan and Caleb and Cody Walker. Paul’s brothers became involved in the film following his passing, as he was still shooting the movie when his fatal car crash took place.
“#Fast7 Wrap Party…….. Emotional and bittersweet,” Gibson captioned the image. “In the end you always got #Family @codyWalker Caleb Walker and Director Great…. James Wan…… Through prayers and determination and moving forward inspired by my heart Paul Walker we got through….. The BEST CAST AND CREW IN THE WORLD…. The fans and supporters around the world… We LOVE YOU……”
“I wanna dedicate this moment to my niece Meadow Walker…” Gibson continued about Paul’s 15-year-old daughter. “Uncle Ty loves you….. April 3rd the were gonna unleash this magic on the world……………. I miss you heart…. I miss you P-Dub!!!!”
After appearing in five Fast & Furious movies and beginning work on the seventh installment, Walker died at the age of 40 in an accident in Santa Clarita, Calif. Cody and Caleb stepped in following the tragedy to complete their late brother’s work earlier this year.
“They were obviously wary of filling Paul’s shoes; it was an unenviable task and they didn’t want to feel like they were intruding,” the brother’s father, Paul Walker, Sr. said in an interview with the New York Daily News. “But the incredible love they received from Tyrese, Ludacris and Vin Diesel was an unbelievable help. Once they started working on the movie, it was about everybody pulling together to fill the void left behind by Paul.”
Also starring Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, and Jordana Brewster, among others, Fast Seven will make its debut on April 3, 2015.
