Cannes 2026: Vin Diesel breaks down remembering Paul Walker at ‘Fast & Furious’ anniversary screening

The 25th anniversary screening of The Fast and the Furious turned emotional at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival as Vin Diesel fought back tears while paying tribute to late co-star Paul Walker during a packed midnight celebration of the blockbuster franchise.

Held at the Palais des Festivals, the event drew massive crowds despite the late-hour slot, with Diesel joined by franchise stars Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, producer Neal Moritz and Universal chairman Donna Langley. Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker, also attended the screening.

Addressing the audience before the film began, Diesel reflected on the bond that defined the long-running action series. “This is a film where brotherhood was introduced to our millennium, by myself and my brother Pablo,” he said, using his longtime nickname for Walker. “The person that was not going to let me come alone here to represent that brotherhood was Meadow Walker.”

Meadow Walker, from left, Jordana Brewster and Vin Diesel pose for photographers upon arrival for the 25th anniversary of the film ‘The Fast and the Furious’ at the 79th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 14, 2026
| Photo Credit:
AP

The actor grew visibly emotional before stepping away briefly, telling the audience, “I’m gonna go and shed a tear real quick.”
Diesel also thanked fans for supporting the franchise over the past quarter-century and said their loyalty was the reason the series would return for one final chapter, Fast Forever, scheduled for release in 2028.

Following the screening, Meadow Walker addressed the audience alongside Diesel, who comforted her as the crowd delivered a lengthy standing ovation. The emotional tribute reportedly left many attendees in tears.

Walker starred alongside Diesel in the first seven Fast & Furious films before his death in a car accident in 2013 at the age of 40. The franchise later honoured him in Furious 7 with the globally successful tribute song See You Again by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth.