Beloved movie star, Paul Walker, passed away at age 40 on Nov. 30 in Santa Clarita, CA. Walker and his friend, Roger Rodas, were on their way to a charity event when Rodas lost control of the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, and crashed into a lamp post. The car was immediately engulfed by flames and both men died of ‘traumatic and thermal injuries’.

His acting career began with 1986 horror spoof “Monster in Your Closet”. After several years of small television roles, Walker caught the eye of the public in 1999 film “Varsity Blues”, however, his big break did not come until 2001 when he scored a leading role in “The Fast and the Furious”. He spent his next 13 years on the big-screen acting in the prequel and four sequels to “The Fast and the Furious”, along with other action movies.

In “The Fast and the Furious”, Walker played Brian O’Connor, an undercover police officer who goes on daring adventures to find out who stole the expensive electronic equipment.

“I really enjoyed him as an actor, mostly because of the focus and demeanor that his character radiated. He always had a way of staying in a zone where he had one objective, and played his part quite convincingly,” said sophomore Brooke Espelien.

Throughout the films, Walker embarked on countless high speed races that take place all over the world, from the busy streets of New York City to the modern fast paced metropolis of Tokyo.

“I was sitting at home doing English homework when I learned of the tragically ironic death of Paul Walker. I was very much surprised that it was a car accident, I mean I understand that the movies are purely theatrical, his driving skill is not necessarily mirroring that of the movie actions, but his death being driving related surprised me. I’m also disappointed that his character will not be present for the entirety of the next movie which is currently in production,” said junior, Kyle Badger.

With the loss of a major actor, Universal Pictures has to make the challenging decision whether they should finish the seventh movie, which has been in production since September 2013, or if they should hang it up forever.

“I believe that despite the sizeable loss, they should carry forward the film they started and continue making more of these movies with the same title and cast set. However, I feel that Paul’s presence as a character will be difficult for the producers to replace. He had several good qualities that made him a great person for his former role. He was also a very driven individual, and anyone could see that he was dedicated to his job,” said Badger.

While fans anxiously await the companies decision, they do their best to imagine what the movies would be like with Walkers absence.

“If they continue making them, which I don’t think they should. It just wouldn’t be right without Paul, but if they do I think Stephen Amell would be the best actor to replace him because he has similar characteristics and has taken roles in action movies like these before. Nonetheless, regardless of the similarities no one could completely fill Paul’s shoes so I don’t think they should even try,” said senior Dylan Bruehl.

In 2010, Walker assembled a charity called Reach Out Worldwide to bring relief to areas hit by natural disasters. His family and friends are asking fans not to send flowers or gifts, but instead make donations to Paul’s charity.

“He seemed like such a cool, down-to-earth individual who genuinely cared about others, its really a shame what happened to him. I think what his family is doing with his charity is a great way to honor his memory, ” said Bruehl.

Walker prided himself on giving his all, not only to the things and people he treasured, but to everything he encountered .

In an interview with Spence D. from IGN, Paul Walker said, “I live by ‘go big or go home.’ That’s with everything. It’s like either commit and go for it or don’t do it at all. I apply that to everything. I apply that to relationships, I apply that to sports, I apply that to everything. That’s what I live by. That’s how I like it.”