Paul Walker most recently co-starred alongside Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen in crime-action movie Takers, and now heads up the cast of Fast and Furious, the fourth instalment of the blockbuster series.
Other recent credits include Flags of our Fathers and Eight Below. Walker also starred opposite Jessica Alba in the action-thriller Into the Blue and alongside Susan Sarandon, Penélope Cruz, Robin Williams and Alan Arkin in Chazz Palminteri’s 2004 directorial debut, Noel.
Along with The Fast and Furious films, Walker’s other credits include Joy Ride; The Skulls; Varsity Blues; the critically acclaimed film Pleasantville; She’s All That; Brokedown Palace; and The Death and Life of Bobby Z.
- What sort of place is Brian at when we meet him in this movie?
Despite the fact that he’s in extreme jeopardy and it seems like the whole world is coming down on him, Brian has probably never been so happy and lived so freely.
He’s with the girl he loves and is finally being true to himself so he’s in a much better place than we’ve ever seen him in previously.
- Why has this franchise proved so enduring when the scene for modified cars has faded out?
I think things have changed amongst car enthusiasts. In the first movie we had a lot of bright colours and vinyl on our cars. Let’s be honest - it was a tacky era for automobiles.
Now, that arena has changed and things are a lot simpler and more stripped down. In regards to why the franchise is a success, I really believe that we were lucky.
It has worked because we captured an essence and tapped into something at the right time; something that was universal regardless of where you go in the world, the colour of your skin and the language you speak.
I’ve also realised over time that the whole notion of family and loyalty is very powerful and that’s why in the fifth instalment we’ve really focussed on that. It seems to be a winning combination.
- You are a real car enthusiast. Have you always been that way or is it a by-product of making these films?
I think my fascination with cars is a genetic thing. My grandfather raced cars in the ’50s and ’60s. He was a mechanic and a real son-of-a-bitch that guy sure knew how to drive!
He had a 1963 Ford Falcon and broke the 160mph barrier, which was a real feat at the time. My mum and dad always said that I’ve inherited his DNA.
My dad has an appreciation for cars, but when I’ve had him out on the track a few times, he can’t handle it and screams like a girl! I feel like I’ve inherited a bit of my grandfather and my father. My grandmother has always said that I was ‘31 flavours’, and I always liked that.
- Tell me about doing parkour in the movie [Parkour is a high adrenaline, urban body sport characterised by running, climbing and jumping over obstacles]
Parkour first caught my eye eight or nine years ago. My kid brother showed it to me on YouTube and I saw kids doing amazing stuff with their bodies.
There’s no ball, no equipment and no team mates involved, you just need yourself and a big set of balls! It’s not something I do on a regular basis though, I’m more of an enthusiast.
Whilst filming the movie they brought in some stunt guys who were jumping across the roofs of all the favellas [in Brazil]. A lot of the stuff they were doing - dive rolls for example - I’d already learned through doing martial arts as a kid.
I also know how to fall well because I used to do a lot of motor sports and skateboarding. I thought I could have a go at it, so I started with doing dive-rolls from some first storey buildings, and then I began working more closely with my stunt double - called Paul, ironically enough - doing bigger rolls and front-flips.
I could do it, and you only live once so I like to get as much out of the filming experience as I possibly can. There are no limits on what the human body can do and parkour really shows that.
Fast & Furious 5 is out now on DVD & Blu-Ray
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