'Fast and Furious 8' Cast & Release Date: Film Still Features Paul Walker; Plot Will Have a 'Darker Direction'

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With Paul Walker's untimely passing, one might think that the "Fast and Furious" team will never be complete again. However, the production team was able to pull it off for "Fast and Furious 7" and relive his character Brian O'Connor through a computer-generated imagery with his younger brother playing as his double.

Will fans see Dominic Toretto's (Vin Diesel) best friend and sidekick in "Fast and Furious 8?" According to new reports, there are chances that we will. Ecumenical News reported that the people involved in the upcoming hit movie are very cooperative in sharing some updates with their fans.

In an exclusive interview with Variety, "Fast and Furious 8" star and co-producer Vin Diesel, director F. Gary Gray, NBC Universal vice-chairman Ron Meyer and Universal Chairman Donna Langley revealed the key developments about "Fast and Furious 8."

"We're certainly in conversations about how we can expand the franchise now," Langley said. "It's an ensemble cast and there's room to bring characters in and out."

If Universal will pursue their launching of spin-offs and prequels, it will be following Marvel's success employed in "Avengers." The same strategy is being embraced by "Star Wars," which is reportedly augmenting a new trilogy with origin stories focusing on Han Solo and other key characters in the blockbuster series.

Despite the reports about spin-offs and prequels, the team is focusing on creating three more "Fast and Furious" sequels. Diesel, one of the leading actors in the popular street-racing film, teased that the upcoming films will present a new set of adventure for the characters. This is why they brought "Straight Outta Compton" director Gray, who will be helming the eight installment of the franchise.

"We have a director who is going to bring the darkness out and bring out the character," Diesel proudly said. He promised that "Fast and Furious 8" would be similar to his previous collaboration with the director in the gritty 2003 thriller "A Man Apart."

Now, many are wondering if a CGI Walker will still be visible in "Fast and Furious 8" and this is Meyer's response: "Paul won't be in it, but he'll be represented in some form or another, but whether his image is in it, I can't tell you yet, but he won't be in the film as a performer, as an actor, the way we did it last time. He added: "It will still be 'Fast and Furious,' it will just be without Paul."

So, there it is, in some way or another of glimpse of Walker will still be featured in "Fast and Furious 8."

"Fast and Furious 8" will premiere on April 14, 2017.