Universal Pictures Is Launching A $50m Insurance Claim Over Paul Walker's Death

The tragic death of actor Paul Walker late last year has severely affected the production of Fast and Furious 7, with overrunning filming, a rewritten script and expensive special effects employed to place Walker in un-filmed scenes.

Following Walker’s death, production was halted to allow his colleagues a chance to grieve while producers figured out what to do next. Although the script hasn’t changed drastically, Universal has employed Walker’s brothers to replace him in his un-filmed scenes, as well as a third actor. Post-production crews will then use state-of-the-art face replacement technology to place the late star in the scenes.

None of this comes cheap. Firemen’s Fund, the insurance company involved, has declined to comment, however The Hollywood Reporter has quoted one of the insurance firm’s directors saying in 2012 that production delays can cost up to $250k (£150k) per day. The cast and crew, who were contracted until January, have to be paid for six months of extra shooting. Add those costs to the extra technology needed, and you can understand how that $50m figure comes up.

Shooting is ramping up to a July finale, which will wrap with a huge 600 person shoot in California.