It's a poignant time for the cast of Fast & Furious 7. The franchise's actors just completed filming the latest installment after the untimely death of star Paul Walker mid-production.
"Any time you lose a loved one, it's tough, and we all deal with it in our own certain way," Fast star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson told the Press Association about the November 2013 death of friend and costar Walker. "I think the studio was very challenged to try and work out how we were going to continue to make that movie without Paul, which was a very challenging and difficult thing to do."
Walker, who passed away at the age of 40 in a car crash, had filmed scenes for Fast 7 at the time of this death, but had not completed his role in the film. To honor the late actor, the upcoming action flick will include appearances from his brothers Cody and Caleb Walker.
"I feel like this version of the Fast & Furious movie is going to be very special," Johnson, 42, continued to PA. "It's going to be emotional and I think audiences are going to appreciate it."
Before the much-anticipated April 2015 debut of Fast & Furious 7, Johnson will appear on the big screen in another major role. The former WWE wrestler stars as the Greek legend in the new movie Hercules, hitting theaters this week.
The epic had its red carpet premiere on Wednesday, July 23, in Hollywood, where Us Weekly caught up with Johnson about Hercules, and the stunning transformation he underwent for the film.
"[My girlfriend and daughter] were blown away by the transformation," The Rock told Us Weekly at the premiere. Already famously cut, the actor beefed up in a big way for Hercules, gaining several pounds of muscle. "The first time they saw me, they were blown away."
"That was the goal," he continued. "The goal was to disappear and then to transform."
He went on to add that his hair and makeup for Hercules "took three and a half hours every day" and required the application of "yak hair put on my chin" to perfect that Herculean beard.
