At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Vin Diesel became emotional while paying tribute to late actor Paul Walker during a special screening celebrating 25 years of the Fast & Furious franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The evening also featured a touching moment when Diesel warmly embraced Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker.

The screening, held late at night at the Palais during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, attracted massive crowds, with fans gathering outside the Grand Lumiere theatre. Unlike Cannes’ usual formal red carpet rules, attendees followed a more relaxed “casual chic” dress code. Diesel arrived wearing a custom jacket decorated with rhinestones spelling out “Fast Forever,” the title of the upcoming installment in the franchise, set for release on March 17, 2028.

Several stars and key members connected to the series attended the event, including Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, producer Neal H. Moritz, Donna Langley, and Meadow Walker. Inside the theatre, Diesel reflected on his long history with Cannes and recalled memories from the beginning of his acting journey. He also spoke emotionally about Walker, who tragically passed away in 2013 at the age of 40.

Speaking about their friendship and the theme of brotherhood that defined the franchise, Diesel said, “This is a film where brotherhood was introduced to our millennium, by myself and my brother Pablo. The person that was not going to let me come alone here to represent that brotherhood was Meadow Walker.” The emotional tribute deeply moved the audience, with many attendees seen in tears before giving the cast a standing ovation after the screening concluded.

Thanking fans for their continued support over the years, Diesel shared that the final chapter of the franchise is being made because of the loyalty and love audiences have shown. He said the team wants to make fans proud with the finale. Released in 2001, Fast & Furious introduced Diesel as Dominic Toretto and Walker as Brian O’Conner. Over the years, the action series evolved into one of Hollywood’s biggest film franchises, earning more than $7 billion globally.