Standing before fans at Directors Village, Diesel remembered watching the original movie there with Walker.
“Twenty-five years ago I was sitting in this row, and I was sitting with Paul Walker,” Diesel said. He described Walker, whom he affectionately called “Pablo,” as a brother and said their friendship was one of the greatest gifts of his life.
“If any of you should ever have a blessing to have a brother like Pablo, it is the greatest gift God could bestow upon you,” Diesel told the audience.
Released in 2001, The Fast and the Furious became an unexpected box-office success and launched one of Hollywood’s longest-running action franchises. What began as a story about street racers and truck hijackings eventually grew into a global series featuring elaborate heists, international adventures and even a trip into space.
The franchise has since attracted major stars including Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, John Cena and Helen Mirren. But Monday’s event focused on the people who were there at the beginning.
Diesel attended with original cast members Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez. Chad Lindberg and Noel Gugliemi, who also appeared in the first film, were there as well.
The evening carried an especially personal meaning for Diesel. He revealed that his 91-year-old father had flown in from New York for the screening. Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker, was also in attendance.
Diesel has remained close to Meadow over the years. He walked her down the aisle at her wedding and spoke about how much she means to his family.
He said Meadow’s presence has brought another connection between the Walker and Diesel families, particularly when she visits during the holidays and spends time with his children.
Diesel also mentioned his daughter Pauline, whom he named after Paul Walker. Seeing Pauline and Meadow together, he said, remains an emotional experience.
The memories of Walker are especially important as the franchise moves toward its final chapter. Diesel has previously hinted that Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, could somehow return for the upcoming eleventh film, Fast Forever.
The road to the finale has been a long one. Fast X, released in 2023, was planned as the first part of a two-film conclusion. The final movie has taken years to develop, with the release date now set for March 17, 2028.
Diesel recently said the latest screenplay, written by Mike Lesslie, is the best script he has read in decades. He told Variety on Monday that production is expected to begin in December.
During the screening, Diesel explained why the project has taken so long. After working with four different writers and spending four years developing the story, he finally read a version of the script that made him cry.
“I ended the script, and we had crafted and worked so hard to make it great for you,” Diesel said. “After four years, I was crying. I couldn’t hold it back.”
His sister and longtime Fast producer, Samantha Vincent, apparently had enough of the tears, telling him, “No more crying, bro!”
Diesel then offered a message to fans: “Sometimes even the toughest guys in the world need to cry.”
For anyone who remembers the ending of Furious 7, that sentiment will sound familiar. The franchise has already shown how deeply its fictional family is connected to the real-life bond between Diesel and Walker.
Now, as Fast Forever moves toward production, Diesel appears determined to give the series a finale worthy of everything that came before it — and of the people who helped start it.
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