When Paul Walker died in a car crash on Nov. 30, 2013, family, friends and fans were stunned. But after the initial shock of his passing, the next question was how the “Fast and Furious” franchise would handle the loss of one of its main stars. The 40-year-old actor had been in the middle of filming the series’seventh installment.
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After production was halted for several months, filmmakers decided to complete it with the use of several key tactics, including body doubles — Walker’s brothers Cody and Caleb — special effects and recycled footage from his earlier movies. How did it work out? Pretty well, apparently. Those who’ve seen advanced screenings say the transition is virtually seamless — even when watching closely, they can’t tell which of Walker’s scenes were sewn together in the editing room after his death.
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It’s a challenge that other filmmakers have navigated differently, with strategies ranging from computer-generated imagery to script rewrites. Here are a few of the more famous examples.