Vin Diesel is promising fans an emotional reunion for the eleventh and final Fast & Furious instalment, confirming that plans are underway to bring back Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner — in some form — for the franchise’s last lap.

Appearing at FuelFest in Pomona, California, Diesel addressed a crowd of fans and shared the conditions he gave Universal Pictures when asked about the next film. “The studio said to me, ‘Vin, can we please have the finale of Fast and Furious [in] April 2027?’” he told the audience. “I said, ‘Under three conditions.’ First, is to bring the franchise back to L.A.! The second thing was to return to the car culture, to the street racing! The third thing was reuniting Dom and Brian O’Conner.”

Diesel didn’t elaborate further, but the final point sent a wave of cheers through the crowd — and instantly reignited speculation about how the character of Brian could return. Walker, who died in a car accident in 2013 at the age of 40, had been filming Furious 7 at the time of his death. That film was ultimately completed with the use of CGI, stand-in performances from his brothers Cody and Caleb Walker, and a carefully constructed farewell sequence that closed out with Dom and Brian driving separate paths.

If Universal does move forward with another Brian appearance, it would likely require a similar visual effects approach — or perhaps something more ambitious. For now, Diesel’s comments leave it open to interpretation, but signal that a reunion for the characters is on the cards.

The eleventh Fast & Furious film has long been expected to serve as the franchise’s finale. The last entry, Fast X, hit cinemas in May 2023 and grossed over $US704 million worldwide from a pricey $US340 million price tag. With a massive ensemble that included Jason Momoa as a major villain, the film was marketed as the first chapter in a two-part conclusion, though the delays and evolving direction of the series have left fans unclear as to whether Fast 11 will directly continue the story or pivot toward a more standalone send-off.

Diesel’s latest comments also hint at a return to the series’ earlier DNA — that of Los Angeles street racing culture and grounded action, rather than globe-hopping espionage. Whether or not the final film delivers on all three of his demands remains to be seen.

No official release date has been locked in by Universal, but Diesel’s remarks place the tentative premiere window in April 2027. If all goes to plan, the franchise may be heading back to its roots — and possibly giving fans one final ride with both Dom and Brian behind the wheel.

Fast & Furious 11 releasing on April 2027 according to Vin Diesel at FuelFest

-Brian O’Conner will return and reunite with Dom
-Franchise heading back to L.A.
-Return to car culture/street racinghttps://t.co/84RgtMpAmehttps://t.co/FuWwwRaLwN pic.twitter.com/UDZPaAGhb8

— Wario64 (@Wario64) June 29, 2025