Paul Walker’s Film ‘Brick Mansions’ Pushed Back To April Release
One of Paul Walker’s last films, Brick Mansions has been pushed back from a February release to April 25, according to Deadline.
At the time of his death, Paul Walker was trying to take his career in a new direction, away from his signature role of former detective Brian O’Conner in the Fast And Furious franchise.
Not that the Universal films didn’t bring him satisfaction and worldwide success, but he had taken on a few smaller budget movies, such as Hours and Brick Mansions.
Relativity Media announced on Thursday that Paul Walker’s latest film — a remake of the 2004 French film District 13 — would be pushed back to April.
In Brick Mansions Paul Walker plays an undercover Detroit cop on a mission to take down a ruthless crime lord with access to a neutron bomb by infiltrating his gang.
As we all know by now, the 40-year-old actor and his friend Roger Rodas were tragically killed on November 30, 2013, in a single-car accident, when the specialty Porsche they were in hit a street sign and burst into flames. Rodas was the driver.
In an image provided to KTLA, actor Paul Walker is seen at a charity event on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. pic.twitter.com/nMErrMUu9Z
— Paul Walker Fans (@paulwalkerfan4) February 6, 2014
After his death, studios with which Walker was working were left scrambling trying to decided what to do with the productions he left unfinished.
Universal announced that Fast And Furious will retire Brian O’Conner to honor Paul Walker’s long involvement in the franchise and one of the original characters along with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster.
The studio will work with already existing footage and will honor the late actor with a proper farewell sure to be very emotional.
Similarly, Relativity has decided to go ahead and move forward with the release of one of Paul Walker’s last films.
The problem with Fast And Furious and Brick Mansions is that both involved fast cars and considering the horrific manner in which Walker and Rodas were killed, the studios find themselves dealing with a delicate situation.
Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and director Justin Lin on the set of Fast & Furious, 2009. pic.twitter.com/mnt4g4tRrn
— Behind the Scenes (@BScenex) January 30, 2014
Of course, Paul Walker’s accident will be fresh on the audience’s mind when they go to movie theaters to watch the last of his work, but executives and producers are trying to proceed with caution to ensure everything is done in good taste and with respect towards the actor’s family and fans.
At the time of the actor’s death EuropaCorp — which is financing Brick Mansions — chief marketing officer Fabrice Denizot told Deadline:
“What happened to Paul is devastating and we don’t want to push anything, and just want to take the time and do this right. We are working hand in hand with Relativity on the marketing right now. There is no way we can take Paul out of the trailer. All we can do is deliver the best movie we can in his honor. We are fine-tuning the editing right now.”
Christophe Lambert, CEO of EuropaCorp added:
“Paul is the big movie star in our movie — it is built around him. Paul is in about 80 percent of the scenes. We are still in shock so it’s very difficult for me to respond. We are devastated as a team. We need a bit of time. For sure it’s going to be one of the last big movies of his life and it’s Paul at his best.”
In the release date announcement, it was also stated that Relativity and EuropaCorp will be making a donation — including the cost of the world premiere — to Paul Walker’s charity Reach Out Worldwide, which provides aide to people affected by natural disasters.
