Vin Diesel has given fans something to buzz about, suggesting that the beloved character of Paul Walker, Brian O’Conner, might make a return in the upcoming finale of the Fast & Furious franchise.
During a brief appearance at Fuel Fest—a car enthusiast gathering in California—on Saturday, Diesel was joined by Tyrese Gibson and Paul Walker’s brother, Cody. He shared a few details about Fast 11 and teased the potential comeback of Brian O’Conner, along with a projected release date. “The studio approached me and said, ‘Vin, can we aim for the finale of Fast & Furious to be released in April 2027?’” Diesel revealed, according to Variety.
He added, “I then laid out three conditions: first, we’ve got to bring the franchise back to LA; second, we need to return to the core of car culture and street racing; and third, we must reunite Dom and Brian O’Conner.”
While the specifics of how O’Conner will reappear remain uncertain—especially following Walker’s tragic passing in 2013—it’s worth noting that Walker’s last appearance in 2015’s Furious 7 involved his brother Cody stepping in, with digital effects used to blend Paul’s face onto Cody’s body. Following Walker’s death, the character was retired from the series, with viewers learning that Brian had chosen to step back from the crew to focus on family life.
Questions also linger about whether Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will return for Fast 11, given his long-standing feud with Diesel. Their rivalry dates back to 2016 but appeared to ease in 2023 when Johnson acknowledged in an Instagram post, “Despite our differences, Vin and I have been like brothers for years.” Although Johnson previously ruled out his return for Fast X, he surprised fans with a mid-credit appearance in the 2023 film.
Earlier this year, the tension between Diesel and Johnson was evident during an awkward encounter at the Golden Globes, suggesting that not all is resolved between the two.
In the meantime, Johnson will be portraying MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming film The Smashing Machine, while Diesel is busy working on a fourth installment of The Chronicles of Riddick series. Recently, actor Paul Walter Hauser criticized Diesel for his professionalism, adding to the ongoing conversation about his reputation.
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