<P> Furious 7 (alternatively known as Fast & Furious 7 and Fast 7) is a 2015 American action film directed by James Wan and written by Chris Morgan . It is the seventh installment in The Fast and the Furious franchise . The film stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Djimon Hounsou, Kurt Russell, and Jason Statham . Furious 7 follows Dominic Toretto (Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Walker), and the rest of their team, who have returned to the United States to live normal lives after securing amnesty for their past crimes in Fast & Furious 6 (2013), until Deckard Shaw (Statham), a rogue special forces assassin seeking to avenge his comatose younger brother, puts the team in danger once again . </P> <P> With the previous three installments set between 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), Furious 7 is the first installment in the franchise to take place after Tokyo Drift . The film also marks the final film appearance of Walker, who died in a single - vehicle crash on November 30, 2013 with filming only half - completed . Following Walker's death, filming was delayed for script rewrites, and his brothers, Caleb and Cody, were used as stand - ins to complete his remaining scenes . These script rewrites completed the story arcs for both Walker and Brewster's characters (Brian O'Conner and Mia Toretto, respectively), causing both to be retired . As a result, it is also the final installment in the franchise to star Brewster . </P> <P> Plans for a seventh installment were first announced in February 2012 when Johnson stated that production on the film would begin after the completion of Fast & Furious 6 . In April 2013, Wan, predominantly known for horror films, was announced to direct the film in place of Justin Lin, who left the franchise after directing the previous four installments . Casting began in the same month with the re-signing of Diesel and Walker, and an initial release date was set . Principal photography began in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2013, resumed in April 2014 and ended in July 2014, with other filming locations including Los Angeles, Colorado, Abu Dhabi, and Tokyo . </P> <P> Furious 7 premiered in Los Angeles on April 1, 2015, and was theatrically released in the United States on April 3, 2015, playing in 3D, IMAX 3D, and 4DX internationally . Upon release, the film became a critical and commercial success, with praise being aimed at the film's action sequences and its tribute to Walker . The film grossed $397.6 million worldwide during its opening weekend, which is the sixth highest - grossing opening of all time . The film has grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, making it the highest - grossing film of the franchise after just twelve days, the third highest - grossing film of 2015 and the sixth highest - grossing film of all time . A sequel, The Fate of the Furious, was released on April 14, 2017 . </P>

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