Paul is faster than ever

MANILA, Philippines - Having captured the attention of audiences and industry execs alike with his undeniable on-screen presence, Paul Walker (Brian O’Conner) has managed a balance of successful box-office films, dramatic roles and documentaries to elevate his leap to leading-man status on both the small and big screens. Walker most recently co-starred alongside Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen in Screen Gems’ crime-action movie Takers, and in Fast & Furious, the fourth installment of the blockbuster series. 

 For Walker, reflecting upon the progression of former cop Brian O’Conner over the past decade has also been rewarding. He says, “After 10 years, Brian’s finally realized that the world is no longer black and white. Dom may have been on the other side of the law, but he was clearly a good guy. Brian’s joined him and is finally where he should have always been. The best cops make phenomenal criminals and vice versa.”

 Here you are back in the fifth movie of the series. What was special about Fast Five for you?

 The previous film felt like the first true sequel because Vin and I finally got to come back together. In this one, other people that have been an important part in making this franchise what it is today, like Tyrese and Ludacris, come back too.

 What was the energy like on set then?

 It was fun because we had more time off. I loved hanging out with people like Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris or Matt Schulze, who I hadn’t seen in a while.

 What did getting back together with people you hadn’t seen for years mean to you?

 We were young guys when we made the first movie and we were still trying to figure out who we were. I remember having lunch with Matt on the set of Fast Five thinking that I was talking to a real adult now. It’s fun to get to know people and then be able to reconnect years later.

 What should the public expect from Fast Five then?

 We are not going to give them what we already have in the past. Expectations are now higher because the last movie performed so remarkably well. So, we all got together to try to give the public more and even brought in some new faces, like Dwayne Johnson.

 What do you think Dwayne Johnson brought to the franchise?

 Vin is such a physical presence that you need to bring in someone like Dwayne to oppose him. The good thing about him is that he knows his stuff and he has a huge audience behind him!

 What is he like to work with?

 Dwayne is such a good guy. He came in with the right energy and worked really hard. He is definitely one of the most recognizable people I’ve ever been around. I can slide under the radar, but not him!

 And you got back together with Vin Diesel, who repeats in the role of Dominic Toretto and as a producer.

 Vin and I get along very well. I understand him and I think he feels the same way about me. There is definitely a mutual respect between us. It’s interesting because we are two completely different people but at the same time we are also very much alike. The more time I spend with him the more I realize how similar we are.

 What does your character, Brian O’Conner, go through in this film?

 Brian has been through a lot. I think he came to terms with who he really was in the first movie. He realized life wasn’t black and white and that the bad guy can be better than the good guy. He was built for law enforcement. He discovered he was living a lie and finally got pushed to the brink when he found out that justice hadn’t been served. I believe he felt responsible for ruining Dominic Toretto’s life. Now he is on the other side of the law and, even though they are being pursued by this beast of a man played by Dwayne Johnson, he is freer than ever.

Fast and Furious 5, released and distributed by United International Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corp., is now showing in theaters nationwide.