(AP) NEW YORK–Universal Pictures has delayed the release of “Fast & Furious 7” for almost a year following the death of star Paul Walker.
The studio announced Monday that the “Fast & Furious” sequel will be released in April 2015, instead of July. Shooting on the film was about halfway finished when the 40-year-old Walker died in a car crash outside of Los Angeles.
Walker will still appear in the film, though Universal has not said exactly how it will handle his unfinished performance.
Co-star Vin Diesel first posted the news on Facebook, telling his fans that, “He’d want you to know first.”
The franchise has been one of Universal’s most lucrative, grossing almost $2.4 billion worldwide since 2001. The last film, “Fast & Furious 6,” made $789 million.