Vin Diesel has officially announced the April 2027 release window for Fast X: Part 2, including the emotional return of Paul Walker's character Brian O'Conner.
The franchise star made the revelation during FuelFest in Los Angeles, confirming the final installment will return to the series' roots in LA's street racing culture while reuniting Dominic Toretto (Diesel) with his late friend's character.
This aligns with Diesel's previous comments in 2023 about giving Walker's character a proper farewell. Walker, who passed away in a 2013 car accident at age 40, last appeared in Fast X through carefully repurposed archive footage.
The announcement raises questions about how the reunion will be handled, given Walker's tragic death during Furious 7's production - a film that many fans consider to have provided a touching conclusion to Brian O'Conner's story.
Diesel's emphasis on returning to street racing represents a conscious shift from the franchise's recent turn toward globe-trotting action spectacles. Earlier installments focused on underground racing culture, while recent entries have embraced over-the-top set pieces more reminiscent of military action films than automotive stories.
Another major question concerns Dwayne Johnson's potential involvement. Their public feud resurfaced during the 2025 Golden Globes when Diesel joked about their rocky history, though both stars later emphasized reconciliation through social media posts celebrating their brotherhood.
The actors' working relationship became strained after their collaborations on Fast 5, Furious 6 and Fast and Furious 7, with Johnson previously criticizing Diesel's behavior on set. Diesel later framed his approach as "tough love" meant to elevate Johnson's performance.
Johnson confirmed their reconciliation in a 2023 social media post, stating they had moved past their differences to focus on serving the franchise they both helped build - though it remains unclear whether this means Hobbs will appear in the final chapters of the Fast Saga.
