"Fast & Furious 7" has been given a green light to continue with production in the aftermath of the crash that killed franchise star Paul Walker.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal executives and director James Wan made the decision in a conference call. The franchise has been hit with production delay and cancellation rumors in the wake of Walker's death on Saturday in a fiery car crash in Santa Clarita, Calif.
"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," a studio spokesperson said in a statement. "Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."
According to the New York Daily News, the actor's body was found burned in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, after it struck a light pole and exploded. Roger Rodas, who was driving the car was also killed. Autopsies are delayed until the end of the week once both individuals dental records are obtained.
Filming was scheduled to resume on Sunday after the Thanksgiving break, but was suspended after the actor's tragedy. The United International Press reported the cast and crew will take a long break because everyone involved is "too distraught to work, anyway."
The 40-year-old reprised his role as Brian O'Conner in the seventh installment of The "Fast and the Furious" Franchise. A source told TMZ that since Walker did not complete his all of his scenes for, "Fast & Furious 7" the script will require some major rewrites.
The source said that cast member including Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, are not considering returning to the set any time soon.
"It's going to be bittersweet for a lot of people to see Paul Walker on screen racing fast cars knowing he died in an automobile crash," Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Rentrak said. "But enough time is going to pass before the movie is released that I think moviegoers will be ready to see the movie and celebrate his life."
Director Wan tweeted about his own struggles with the news of Walker's death.
I am so beyond heartbroken right now. I can't process anything.
— James Wan (@creepypuppet) December 1, 2013
