The seventh in the Fast & Furious franchise, one of Hollywood’s biggest, has hit the silver screen. Here’s why it’s more than just another action flick:
1. Paul Walker, who plays Brian O’Conner in the series, died in a car crash on November 30, 2013.
It was a tragic irony that the accident took place while he was on a break –from the film that’s all about car chases — for the Thanksgiving holiday. Universal announced immediately that production would continue after the script was reworked in view of the tragedy.
Image courtesy: http://7-themes.com/
2. It was decided that Paul Walker’s character would be retired instead of killed, to allow the series to continue.
Image courtesy: comicbook.com
3. After Paul Walker’s death, the filmmakers began a hunt for stand-ins who could be used to complete the unfinished scenes in which he was to feature. His brothers Caleb and Cody were roped in.
Image courtesy: gospelherald.com
4. Fast & Furious 7, or Furious 7 as it’s also being called, is the most expensive movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. The film has been made on a budget of $ 250 million.
Image courtesy: rsvlts.com
5. Furious 7 is the sequel to The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
In fact, the fourth, fifth, and sixth releases were actually prequels to The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The storyline for Furious 7 continues fromTokyo Drift.
Image courtesy: tmdb.org
6. Furious 7 was announced even before Fast & Furious 6 was released.
Image courtesy: YouTube grab
7. The speeded-up schedule caused director Justin Lin, who had been with the series since Tokyo Drift to quit because he felt it would affect post-production of the sixth film. So, Universal roped in horror filmmaker James Wan for the job.
Image courtesy: geekbinge.com
8. Jason Statham and Ronda Rousey from The Expendables trilogy feature in Furious 7.
Image courtesy: screenrant.com
9. The plot of Furious 7 in one line: A dead man’s brother seeks revenge on the Toretto gang.
Image courtesy: http://wallpaperscene.com/
10. There was lots of speculation that a Bollywood star would feature in Furious 7.
The names of Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Chitrangada Singh were tossed around. It’s now Fukrey star Ali Fazal who has a cameo. Apparently he plays a mad tycoon.
