Vin Diesel Reunites With Paul Walker’s Daughter Meadow At ‘The Fast & The Furious’ Cannes Screening
Vin Diesel shared a long embrace with Meadow Walker, the 27-year-old daughter of late “Fast” star Paul Walker, at the original blockbuster’s 25th anniversary screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13. Before the film began, Diesel became teary-eyed while speaking about his bond with Meadow and her father, who died in 2013 at the age of 40.
“This is a film where brotherhood was introduced to our millennium by myself and by my brother Pablo, and the person who was not going to let me come here alone to represent that brotherhood was Meadow Walker,” Diesel said, using his affectionate nickname for Paul while speaking to the sold-out crowd as they erupted into cheers.
The audience in the Grand Lumière Theater was already revved up just past midnight when Diesel entered the theater wearing a black jacket emblazoned with “Fast Forever” and an image of a car, a nod to the upcoming “Fast” film. During a Cannes with minimal Hollywood infusion, Diesel was a welcome presence for onlookers. Fixated on the star power, Cannes Film Festival General Delegate Thierry Frémaux stood on stage to present the special guests and told the audience to “look at me” as phones flew into the air to capture Diesel’s every move.
Fans leaned over the balcony to catch a glimpse of the original cast, including Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez, who charmed photographers on the red carpet. Rodriguez and Brewster danced while Diesel spent extra time taking selfies with fans waiting outside the theater and signing various items, including a young girl’s water bottle.
“We’re waiting for Vin,” Rodriguez mouthed while standing with Brewster.
Caught up in the excitement, Diesel took his time posing and greeting everyone on the carpet when announcer later said over the loudspeaker, “They are waiting for you on the stairs,” to Diesel, who quickly joined his “Fast” family for a group shot.
After entering to a standing ovation, Frémaux gave Diesel the floor on one condition: make it quick. For several minutes, Diesel spoke about his own history with the festival – his first visit was in 1995 when he came for his short film “Multi-Facial” that he wrote, directed, and starred in. He joked about how the film – which premiered in 2001 – has already been labeled a “classic” by the festival. His speech then turned sentimental, speaking about brotherhood, Meadow, and his dedication to the fans.
“I’m going to shed a tear real quick, but I just want you all to know the only reason that we’re making the finale of ‘Fast’ for 2028 is because of each and every one of you.”
The final film in the franchise, currently titled “Fast Forever,” is slated for a March 2028 release. This comes after Diesel confirmed a TV spin-off is in the works with Peacock. Diesel then thanked fans for their loyalty while emphasizing what has made the long-running franchise Universal’s most profitable over its two-decade legacy:
“Each and every one of you who has felt like you were a part of our family, you make us continue. You make us want to make you all proud.”