Fast X director says Paul Walker is 'very much alive' in new trailer

The director of Fast X has stated that late star Paul Walker is still 'very much alive' in the Fast and Furious franchise.

Walker died in a car crash in 2013, aged 40, and his final appearance came posthumously in Fast and Furious 6.

Since his untimely death, the creators of the series have ensured that his character has lived on, and the new movie will be no different.

Explaining how he is incorporated into Fast X, director Louis Leterrier told TotalFilm: "Well, Brian is very much alive in the world of Fast and Furious and they’ve teased him a lot in the previous movies.

"In 9, we see the car coming. It’s something that is planned. This movie jumps back and forth between the past and the present."

Leterrier said Walker's family have remained part of the franchise and the decision was made for Brian to be seen 'in the past'.

"You will see Brian in the past, you won't see Brian in the present," he explained. "It's something that everybody has to be on board with.

"The Walker family is still very much a part of this franchise, you'll see how in this movie. It just has to be the right moment, the right tone."

Returning stars include Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, and Charlize Theron – as well as Diesel, who reprises his role of Dominic Toretto once again.

The trailer was launched on 9 February at an event in Los Angeles, which was attended by members of the cast including Diesel, who honoured his late friend and co-star Walker by wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words 'For Paul'.

Last November, Diesel shared a touching tribute to Walker on Instagram.

He captioned the post: "Nine years … love you and miss you."

Fast X is coming to cinemas 19 May.