Before that tragic passing of actor Paul Walker even happened last year in November, the seventh installment of the "Fast & Furious" franchise was scheduled to be released this month. However, after that shocking turn of event, the film's launching was understandably moved to April 10, 2015, according to E! News.
However, in a recent update announced by Universal Pictures, the said date will again be moved. No, no delay here - "Fast & Furious 7" will actually be released a week earlier than previously stated.
"The highly anticipated flick's worldwide release date has moved up a week to April 3, allowing the studio to book more international screens," the entertainment news site said.
The much-anticipated sequel will still star many of the original cast members, such as "Vin Diesel, the late Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson, along with returning actors Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black," The Hollywood Reporter said.
"Among the new array of action stars featured are Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Russell," THR added.
Sounds like a very star-studded cast -- definitely not to be missed!
Perhaps some of you may be wondering whether there's another reason as to why the studio has moved the release date to an earlier one. Is it done as a favor to the film's fans? Forbes seems to have the answer.
"Back in 2009, Universal moved Fast & Furious (the fourth entry in the series) from its intended summer slot into early April and reaped the rewards of being a very big fish in a comparatively smaller pond," the business and finance site observed. "Two years later, Universal brought Dwayne Johnson to play and 'Fast Five' opened on April 30th, 2011 to a whopping $86m opening weekend, another April record."
"Walt Disney played the same trick with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, opening the heavily anticipated sequel on April 4th to $95 million, a record for the month," Forbes concluded.
This just goes to prove that filmmaking, after all, is not just an art - it's also a business. Well, as long as those productions are hugely entertaining, we're not complaining!
And, judging by the cast, director, and production, we have a feeling "Fast & Furious 7" will indeed be one of those kinds of films.
According to E! News, film production wrapped just this week, with director James Wan getting "some love (and some credit) for all their hard work." What a team!
Tell us: will you be lining up at the theater next year to watch "Fast & Furious 7"?
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