‘Fast & Furious 7’ delayed until April 2015

In this film publicity still released by Universal Pictures, Paul Walker, left, and Vin Diesel, are shown in a scene from “Fast & Furious.” Universal Pictures has delayed the release of “Fast & Furious 7” for almost a year following the death of Paul Walker. The studio announced early Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, that the “Fast & Furious” sequel will be released in April 2015, instead of July next year. Shooting on the film was about midway through when the 40-year-old Walker died in a car crash outside of Los Angeles. AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Jaimie Trueblood

NEW YORK – Universal Pictures has delayed the release of “Fast & Furious 7” for almost a year following the death of star Paul Walker.

The studio announced Monday that the “Fast & Furious” sequel will be released in April 2015, instead of July. Shooting on the film was about halfway finished when the 40-year-old Walker died in a car crash outside of Los Angeles.

Walker will still appear in the film, though Universal has not said exactly how it will handle his unfinished performance.

Co-star Vin Diesel first posted the news on Facebook, telling his fans that, “He’d want you to know first.”

The franchise has been one of Universal’s most lucrative, grossing almost $2.4 billion worldwide since 2001. The last film, “Fast & Furious 6,” made $789 million.