Producers have been forced to cancel a “splashy” Abu Dhabi world premiere for the latest Fast and Furious movie after star Vin Diesel chose to be present at the birth of his third child rather than attend, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Diesel, 47, has starred in four out of the six previous films and is considered the $2.3bn (£1.5bn) franchise’s biggest selling point. With the premiere for Furious 7 already lacking the late Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in November 2013, studio Universal has decided not to move ahead.
Diesel is said to be expecting his third child with partner Paloma Jiménez, with the baby due to arrive some time between the planned date of the premiere, 10 March, and the film’s 3 April US release date. A source told the Hollywood Reporter: “He wants to be with his family at the birth; it’s a beautiful thing. What human being wouldn’t?”
The Furious 7 premiere was due to take place at the Emirates palace in Abu Dhabi, which was one of the new instalment’s key shooting locations. The cancellation is the latest setback for the film, which was delayed from July 2014 to April 2015 following Walker’s death. It is understood the premiere will now take place in Los Angeles.
Furious 7, directed by Saw’s James Wan, was completed with Walker’s brothers Caleb and Cody doubling for the actor, who died before all his scenes had been shot. Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Lucas Black will return from previous instalments, with Jason Statham playing the villain following a cameo in 2013’s Fast & Furious 6.
