14 DAY TRIAL // Given the box-office hit that was “Fast & Furious,” confirmation for a sequel was not that unexpected as Universal might have thought. As a matter of fact, talk of yet another movie on the same topic with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel started about the same time that promotion for the fourth film began, but was confirmed just now, according to Los Angeles Times’ The Envelope and E! Online.
Paul Walker, who was reunited with the old cast of the first flick only for the fourth film, has spoken out about doing a fifth, not only confirming speculation, but also giving out details on the production. In the same interview, he also explained why neither him, nor Diesel were part of the third film, as per The Envelope.
“This was supposed to be it. There wasn’t supposed to be the open-ended closing like there was. When I first read the screenplay, I was like, ‘Man, look what they’re doing.’ But without question, with the way things opened up, Vin and I will be coming back, we’re making a fifth one, and we’re going to Brazil, that’s it.” Walker told the media in a recent interview.
As for why neither of the main stars was part of the third film – which, as fans must know, did not fare well at the box-office and, on top of that, was not warmly welcomed by the public – Walker says it was not because of money. Personally, he cannot offer fans a specific reason for not doing the third film, Walker explains, which is why he felt compelled to be a part of the fourth one – and now, of the fifth.
“Vin didn’t do the second one, and fans would always ask me, ‘Why didn’t Vin do the second one?’ I didn’t really have an answer for them. And then I didn’t do the third one. And guys would come up to me on the street and be like, ‘Hey, why weren’t you in the third one?’ And when they ask the question, it’s kinda like they got that look… saying, ‘Don’t tell us you’re too good for us now’.” the actor says. “When they started talking about making the fourth one, I was like, man, I don’t really have a choice now, because if I don’t do it I know I’m gonna be [upsetting] people, because this is the opportunity to come back and make the first true sequel.” Walker adds.
Universal has also confirmed the fifth film, but has not announced a release date for it yet.