Vin Diesel paid an emotional tribute to the late Paul Walker during the 25th anniversary screening of Fast & Furious at Cannes. The event was a standout amid a festival lacking star power, held at the Palais with Diesel in attendance.
The Midnight Screening
The screening took place near midnight, with the Croisette bustling and the area around the Grand Lumiere theater filled with spectators. Unlike the usual black tie events, this screening invited guests to wear “casual chic” attire. Diesel stepped out in a bedazzled suit jacket emblazoned with “Fast Forever” in rhinestones, promoting the upcoming film Fast Forever set for release on March 17, 2028.
Vin Diesel at the Fast & Furious Cannes anniversary screening wearing a custom jacket “Fast Forever” bedazzled jacket. It will be the 11th film in the franchise, out in 2028. pic.twitter.com/i9jgtu8kQM
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 13, 2026
Tribute to Paul Walker
Joining Diesel were franchise stars Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez, producer Neal H. Moritz, Universal chairman Donna Langley, and Meadow Walker, Paul Walker’s daughter. Inside the theater, Diesel remarked, “I’ve never seen a midnight screening like this in my whole life. It’s not like this movie hasn’t been out for a minute.”
Reflecting on his past experiences with the festival, Diesel humorously told festival head Thierry Fermaux, “Fuck the film. I’m only here once in my whole life.” He then shifted focus to Walker, who died in 2013 at age 40, saying, “This is a film where brotherhood was introduced to our millennium, by myself and my brother Pablo. The person that was not going to let me come alone here to represent that brotherhood was Meadow Walker.”
Vin Diesel gets emotional talking about the late Paul Walker at the 'Fast & Furious' Cannes anniversary screening: "A brother to me" pic.twitter.com/E0ai5FPj5D
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 14, 2026
Legacy of Fast & Furious
The Fast & Furious franchise, now a global phenomenon, has grossed over $7 billion. It began with the introduction of Diesel’s Dominic Toretto and Walker’s Brian O’Conner, an FBI agent undercover in Toretto’s crew. A 2001 review by The Hollywood Reporter praised the film's mix of grit, young talent, and emotion.
In related news, NBCUniversal’s Peacock is developing a TV series based on the franchise, though the details remain somewhat unclear.
Audience Reaction
Following the screening, audience members were visibly moved, many in tears, as they gave Diesel and the cast a standing ovation. Diesel addressed the crowd, “I just want you all to know, the only reason why we’re making the finale of Fast for 2028 is because of each and every one of you that has given us your hearts and your loyalty. You make us want to make you all proud.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/vin-diesel-emotional-paul-walker-fast-and-furious-cannes-1236594799/
