14 DAY TRIAL // Universal is getting a move on things as far as the “Fast & Furious” franchise is concerned: though it had initially announced April 1, 2014 as the start date for the production, various reports confirm that it’s already well underway both in Atlanta and in Dubai.
The future of the seventh film installment, which is now scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 10, 2015, seemed very uncertain after the tragedy in November, when Paul Walker, one of the leading stars, lost his life in a one-vehicle car crash.
When this happened, production was halfway complete, but Walker was still to shoot several crucial scenes, it has been said.
Since then, there’s been a lot of speculation in the film industry as to how the studio would handle his character, Brian O’Conner, now that he was gone, with the most circulated theory saying that he would probably be “retired” in a manner that would not upset Walker’s legions of heartbroken fans.
Another was that O’Conner would be killed off, while an even wilder one claimed that he would be made to appear in the entire movie thanks to CGI, after which he would somehow disappear from that universe. So, according to the latter theory, O’Conner would be “retired” but it would happen offscreen.
As of now, there’s still no word on what would happen to Walker’s popular character but, as WXIA reports, everything is in place in Atlanta for shooting to begin. In other words, even if Universal is not saying anything on the topic of O’Conner, a decision has already been made.
“11Alive confirmed with downtown businesses they received notice the production will have lane closures and special effects on site March 16th-22nd. The notice said ‘the work will include automotive stunts, simulated combat, and special effects.’ Those special effects will include explosions and simulated munitions fire,” WXIA says.
Twitter is also abuzz with talk of the shooting, with many saying that several streets have already been closed off. These include Wall Street, Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Fairlie Street, and parts of Marietta Street.
Word also has it that shooting in Dubai is also about to resume, with Tyrese posting the photo below to his Instagram, with the cryptic caption, “I’m back….” He doesn’t say what he’s back for, but fans have already assumed that he’s not on vacation or a business trip, but on the set, getting ready to shoot for the seventh “Furious” film.