What should Universal do with Fast 7?

[Wang Chung]

Since I am on my phone and can't paste the article from IMDB that I read here is the gist of it.

Universal is deciding what to do with the film. They state that they are a little over half or half way through filming and are trying to decide to either continue filming with a new script from here on out or to scrap what they have and start over. I know this is still very close to the passing of Paul Walker and a tough time for the cast and fans as well, but if you were in their shoes what would you do since the Brian O'Conner character is such a main character in the plot of the while movie?

Universal has insurance for this and would not lose out in starting over should they choose to go that route.

I have read a few suggestions:
1. keep what you have with Walker and continue either with a stand in and adding his face in digitally to finish the film.

2. Keep what you have with Walker and let him die in the film and let Diesel and the Rick go on a revenge tour.

3. Start over and have someone replace him as a sibling Armie Hammer has been mentioned as a suitable replacement to help Dom finish things.

4. Keep the footage and have Brian ride off in the sunset at some point with the wife and kid.




Personally I say keep the footage with Walker already in it and either let him die by the bad guy and just rewrite from what they have done. Now I know that they film out of order sometimes and that it could be hard to piece everything together and let Dom finish things. I also think they should let this be the last in the franchise and if they need to make this film run longer they need to. I think this film would be a huge ticket before the accident and think it will have the Heath Ledger effect and can do even more than it would have as fans of the series and Walker would go in droves to see his final film. I also think that they should donate $1 of every ticket sold to his charity that he started and was promoting upon his untimely death.


So what would you do if you were Universal.

Using the Force on tapatalk

 

[Postman Dave]

Re: What should Universal do with Fast 7.

Tough.

Hate to speak in these terms, but like you said this being his last film could actually end up helping the movie sell.

From what I heard though, the scenes he needed to film were big ones and if they have to rewrite a large chunk of the film, they may as well start afresh and pay tribute in the film in some way.

 

[Orobin Thor]

Re: What should Universal do with Fast 7.

Have to agree with the Linebacker. If Paul had yet to film the big scenes, it should be scraped and re-written with a tribute. I'm sure they can start off with something heart-warming and then Hobbs (Rock) should come in and ask for help on something. Just my opinion.

 

[Krisis]

Re: What should Universal do with Fast 7.

Revised Fast & Furious 7 Script May Still Include Paul Walker
Universal working on a fitting sendoff for Paul Walker's character.
by Max Nicholson DECEMBER 11, 2013


Universal is hoping to salvage existing footage shot for Fast & Furious 7, including scenes featuring the late Paul Walker, instead of starting from scratch.

Following Walker's tragic death, studio chairman Donna Langley and production co-president Jeffrey Kirschenbaum were tasked with finding a creative solution to completing Fast 7.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, writer Chris Morgan is currently revising the script in hopes of tastefully retiring Walker's character Brian O'Connor using scenes already shot. (Reportedly, filming on the action sequel was over halfway completed at the time of Walker's death.)

Should Morgan's draft be suitable, Universal could restart production on Fast 7 as early as January -- although that's a best-case scenario. For now, production remains suspended indefinitely, and the July 11 release date is obviously scrapped.


The studio has already poured roughly $150 million into the picture, "a bill that its insurance firm, Fireman's Fund, might have to pay in full if Universal concludes the picture must be started anew," THR notes. Ultimately, this could lead to the biggest insurance claim in Hollywood history.

However, insiders are confident that Fast 7 will eventually be released, along with a probable eighth installment. "I actually believe [the tragedy] will add to returns," a rival studio exec speculated. Added a Universal insider, "Sadly, it will probably make people more interested."

IGN