Why Paul Walker remains the emotional core of Fast & Furious even in 2025

Twelve years after Paul Walker’s death, the Fast & Furious franchise continues to revolve around his influence, with tributes from his daughter Meadow and longtime co-star Vin Diesel highlighting how deeply he remains woven into its identity.

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A post shared by Meadow Walker (@meadowwalker)

On Sunday, Meadow Rain Walker marked the anniversary with childhood photos on Instagram, writing, “12 years without you… I love you forever.” The images show Paul offering a candle-lit dessert to a toddler-aged Meadow, who beams at him before leaning in for a kiss.

Walker welcomed Meadow in 1998 with childhood sweetheart Rebecca Soteros. The pair co-parented until his sudden death in 2013. He died at 40 when the Porsche Carrera GT he was travelling in crashed and caught fire in Santa Clarita, California. Racing driver Roger Rodas, who was driving, also died at the scene.

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A post shared by Vin Diesel (@vindiesel)

Vin Diesel also marked the anniversary on 30 November, sharing a short but emotional message on Instagram. “The universe keeps placing angels in my path. I know you are a part of it… a brotherhood eternal,” he wrote, ending with “Love you forever.” The tribute, posted alongside a throwback image of the pair, echoed the bond the two shared on and off screen.

Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, last appeared in Furious 7 in 2015, with his brothers stepping in to complete filming after his death. The farewell sequence, showing Brian driving into the distance, remains one of the franchise’s defining scenes.

With an eleventh and final film in development, Diesel has said he intends to bring Brian O’Conner back in some form, though he has not explained how this will be achieved. For many fans, a proper farewell remains the emotional endpoint the saga has yet to deliver.

Over the years, Diesel has posted frequent tributes to Walker, including on what would have been his 52nd birthday in September.

Twelve years on, Meadow’s messages and Diesel’s reflections show that Walker’s legacy still shapes the heart of the Fast & Furious saga.