Meet the men who appeared on the big screen for Paul Walker in 'Fast and Furious 7'
9 April 2015 11:16 PM IST
With CGI, the late actor's face was mapped onto his brothers Cody and Caleb's bodies
Mumbai: There has been no stopping ‘Fast and Furious 7’ at the boxoffice, as the film has zoomed off with some record breaking numbers. The makers also released the video of the title track by Wiz Khalifa ‘See You Again’, that has garnered in over 7.5million hits on YouTube.
The movie that made even the big boys cry, would not been possible without the late Paul Walker’s brothers, who took the wheel soon after his tragic and sudden death. The actor passed away in a car accident in November 2013, leaving several scenes in the movie incomplete.
As Paul was such a big part of the ‘Fast and Furious’ family, the makers thought of giving him and his character Brian O'Connor, a proper send off in the movie. For that, a special CGI team and four body doubles were hired to shoot the incomplete scenes of the film, details of which can be read here.
Cody Walker, Paul’s youngest brother, who has been close to the entire cast since the age of 11 (when his brother first starred in the hit franchise), agreed to lend his body to replace that of his dear brother. Cody stepped in as a base for Paul’s CGI image to be mapped over.
Picture of Cody Walker who helped shoot an action scene in the film. Below: A screenshot from the film's trailer.
But who is Cody Walker?
He is the youngest of the three Walker boys, who not only share striking resemblance to his late brother in height and build, but also shares in his ideas and passion for philanthropy. Cody has been actively involved in maintaining Paul’s ‘Reach Out WorldWide’ non-profit organisation, as it’s brand manager.
The blue-eyed-boy is also a licensed paramedic, who worked his way through school by working on an ambulance as an EMT. A few reports state that he worked as a movie stuntman.
He has also been the most outspoken family member, who has made several appearances on talk shows and let fans in on their lives post Paul’s demise.
Paul’s older brother Caleb, who also filled in for a few action scenes and even accompanied the team to Abu Dhabi, also stepped in for Paul.
Cody and Caleb on the sets of Fast and Furious 7 and below, a screenshot of older brother Caleb in the movie.
Neither Cody nor Caleb had any prior acting experience and so director James Wan paired them with actor John Brotherton, who'd already been cast as another character in Furious 7, and an acting coach, to help them.
'They’d never been in front of the cameras before,' Wan told Variety Magazine. 'Those poor guys went through a crash course in knowing how to perform for the camera. It was a whole different world for them and I think they had new found respect for what their brother did.'
Caleb (left) and Cody (right) getting some tips from co-star Vin Diesel.
A scene from the movie where the two brothers stepped in as body doubles and had Paul's face mapped on theirs.
The director said that it was a ‘bittersweet’ experience filming the movie, and he thought that Paul would be proud of the outcome.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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