Cannes Screening Honors Paul Walker and Marks 25-Year Franchise Milestone

On May 13 2026, the Cannes Film Festival presented a midnight screening of the 2001 debut *The Fast and the Furious* to mark its 25th anniversary. Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, producer Neal H. Moritz and Meadow Walker, daughter of Paul Walker, walked the Grand Lumière Theatre’s red steps. Diesel, in a jacket bearing “Fast Forever,” opened with an emotional tribute to his late co-star, then shared the stage with Meadow, who received a standing ovation.

Emotional Vin Diesel leads Fast And Furious 25th anniversary tribute in CannesPeople Magazine‘Fast & Furious’ 25th Anniversary at Cannes: Jordana Brewster on Keeping Paul Walker’s Memory Alive in ‘Fast Forever’Variety MagazineVariety MagazineVin Diesel Breaks Down at Cannes “Fast and Furious” Screening While Remembering Paul Walker

The original film launched a franchise that now spans eleven movies, has earned $7 billion worldwide, and cemented a street-racing legacy.

Vin Diesel Breaks Down at Cannes “Fast and Furious” Screening While Remembering Paul Walker

The 2001 film introduced neon-lit import tuners such as the Mk4 Supra and Mitsubishi Eclipse to global audiences, spurring a surge in tuner-car interest and influencing automotive-aftermarket trends.

Vin Diesel Breaks Down at Cannes “Fast and Furious” Screening While Remembering Paul Walker

Diesel described Meadow as a “source of strength” and said Paul Walker would be proud of the family’s continued collaboration. He previewed the upcoming final film as “cathartic” for cast and fans. Brewster called for a stronger Mia Toretto agency in the finale and stressed that Brian O’Conner should remain central to honoring Walker’s legacy. Festival director Thierry Frémaux labeled the screening a “classic.”

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• “If I have anything I can say to all of you, it's that Meadow has been such a source of strength and I know [Paul] would be so proud of you. And I love you forever.” — Vin Diesel, Actor

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• “will be cathartic. Not just for me, but for all of us.” — Vin Diesel, Actor

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• “whether Brian is shown on film or if he’s just part of the reason they win or succeed, I’d like to see him be the champion of the whole thing.” — Jordana Brewster, Actress

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*Fast Forever*, slated for a March 2028 release, will be the franchise’s 11th and final film. Diesel confirmed a reunion of Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, while a Peacock series will expand the story beyond the movies. Brewster hopes the script will give Mia a decisive, action-driven role and keep Walker’s legacy central. Diesel’s recent Instagram post from the Petersen Automotive Museum framed the finale as a collective emotional release for the “Fast” family.

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