Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto, pays tribute to the late Paul Walker in a new trailer for Fast & Furious 11. The Fast & Furious franchise, which began modestly in 2001, has become one of the most popular action franchises in the world. Now, it’s gearing up for the eleventh and perhaps final installment of the saga. Following Fast & Furious X (2023), it’s confirmed that Fast & Furious 11 will feature the return of Louis Leterrier as director and Diesel reprising his role as Dom in another automotive adventure.

Diesel posted a heartfelt photo on Instagram on September 12, Walker’s birthday, in honor of the Brian O’Conner actor, who tragically passed away in 2013, while development of the sequel progresses. Diesel claims the photo, which appears to be from around the time of the release of the first Fast & Furious film, shows the moment he and Walker realized their “brotherhood was going to change Hollywood.”

Fast & Furious 11 is mentioned in the post, and Diesel says he recently saw some incredible concept art from the film. The actor writes, “Brian… yes, I’ll have to prepare for this next movie…” but doesn’t confirm that Walker’s character will appear. This could be revealing. See Diesel’s post.

Looking back 25 years ago… I think that’s when we realized you and I had a purpose in the world and that our brotherhood would transform Hollywood. A multinational brotherhood, bonded by love instead of blood.

I can’t believe I just saw the concept art for the next chapter. Brian. Yes, I’ll have to prepare for this next movie.

This summer, I got to see your father and mother. I felt you in their tender embrace. I’ve been holding the words like talismans of light for the past eleven years; their love and wisdom have given me so much.

And speaking for our oceans, your daughter is certainly continuing your wonderful deeds, my goodness. Just a few weeks ago, during a birthday dinner… How proud you would have been of Meadow when she toasted! She speaks from the heart in a way that beautifully evokes the melody of grace.

No matter where I go in the world, I always find someone who reminds me how much we’ve changed their lives. Whether it’s proudly showing off their vehicles, hehe, or simply saying they feel like we raised them. A quarter of a century of that beautiful sisterhood.

An eternal sisterhood bound by love. For that, I will always be grateful. But, Pablo, I miss you so much.

Cheers to your birthday!

The film is expected to address the cliffhanger ending of Fast X, where Dom and his son face a collapsing dam while the fates of Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Han (Sung Kang), and Ramsey (Natahlie Emmanuel) also hang in the balance. However, not much has been revealed about Fast & Furious 11 so far. Aside from the unexpected revelation that Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) is still alive, the film also includes a mid-credits scene featuring the reappearance of Dwayne Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs.

Fast & Furious 11’s massive cast may have contributed to the film’s poor reviews, but the upcoming sequel doesn’t seem to be cutting corners in this regard either. In fact, Diesel’s most recent post provides further evidence that Brian could appear in the next episode. In a March 2023 interview, Diesel previously stated that he “couldn’t imagine the end of this saga without saying goodbye to Brian O’Conner.” The concept art Diesel saw for Fast & Furious 11 could have something to do with Brian’s return.

Fast & Furious 11 seems like the right time for the franchise to close out, even though reviews for the final two episodes have been mediocre at best. Given the important role Brian (Walker) played in most of the previous installments, including the critically acclaimed Fast Five (2011), it would be fitting for the final film in the series to include some sort of farewell. After all, Brian is still alive in the fictional universe.

As was done in parts of Furious 7 after Walker’s passing mid-filming, this would likely involve digitally resurrecting him. Any similar moment in Fast & Furious 11 runs the risk of being less than poignant, as the ending of Furious 7 was surprisingly touching and perhaps the ideal send-off for Walker. But if the film is kept short and sweet, it could definitively conclude Brian’s storyline in an emotionally rewarding way.