Overview
- Cody Walker told reporters on Saturday that he will not serve as a physical body double for Fast Forever and that the decision to digitally recreate Paul Walker should rest with Paul’s daughter, Meadow Walker.
- He said advances since Furious 7 make it technically possible to combine unused archival footage, generative AI and modern visual effects to portray Brian O'Conner without a family member standing in.
- News of Cody's stance prompted a strong wave of fan backlash online, with many viewers saying the character already received a respectful send‑off in Furious 7 and opposing an AI recreation.
- Vin Diesel has long framed a Dom and Brian reunion as central to the series finale, Fast Forever is scheduled for release on March 17, 2028, and Universal has not confirmed any plan to use AI.
- The franchise previously finished Furious 7 using Cody and Caleb Walker plus VFX, and the current debate highlights wider ethical questions about consent, legacy and how studios may seek family approval before using posthumous digital likenesses.