The Untold Story of Brian's Retirement: A Fast & Furious Journey

The Real Reason Behind Brian's Retirement

4 years before Brian O'Connor's retirement in Furious 7, Fast and Furious already explained his reason for leaving Dom's crew. Paul Walker was tragically and untimely killed in a car accident in the middle of filming Furious 7, forcing the film to re-assess his story and find a way to write him out of the blockbuster franchise at the end of the film. Instead of mirroring the real-life tragedy, Universal opted to keep Brian alive. Instead, it was decided that he would retire, explaining the character's absence in future films. That remains to be the case in subsequent films, including Fast X.

Brian and Mia in Furious 7 ending scene

All things considered, Furious 7 impressively found a way to make the best out of a terrible situation when it crafted an emotional send-off to Brian. Despite his supposed happy ending on the big screen, it was still heartbreaking that he had to be written out of the movies that he had been such a big part of because of his sad death. Long before he decided to retire, however, the Universal-produced long-running Fast and Furious movie series already laid the foundation for his decision to walk away from the dangerous life that Dominic Toretto and his 'la familia' have been living.

Fast Five Includes Brian's Secret Reason For Retiring 4 years before Brian's retirement in Furious 7, he already floated the idea that eventually, he would be separating from Dom's pack. In Justin Lin's Fast 5, released in 2011, he vulnerably talked about not remembering much about his dad because he was never around. When he finally walked away from the 'la familia's' operations, Brian's primary motivation was to prioritize his family, which can be interpreted as his way to cut the cycle and ensure that his kids don't have the same experience as he did with an absentee father.

Brian and Mia in Fast 5

The Emotional Send-Off to Brian

Keeping Brian alive in the Fast Saga is a great sentiment. It made for one of the best scenes in the franchise, as he and Dom drove away from each other — a visual representation of their separation given the real-life circumstances of Walker. That being said, it was a risky move, since it can pose big narrative challenges to the movies moving forward. So far, Fast and Furious has done a great job keeping Brian alive while offering a justified reason for his continued absence in Dom's adventure, especially in light of his childhood.

Every single time he is mentioned in the films since the actor's death, it's always revealed that he is with his kids. Doubling down on the idea that he retired to make time for them. Almost 10 years since Furious 7, he remains committed to that mission. Granted that Mia's return to the Fast and Furious franchise raises some questions, but it's worth noting that she is a Toretto, which means that she is automatically involved in whatever issue her brother is tied to. If anything, the fact that Brian stays with their kids allows Mia to help Dom and fulfill her responsibility to her bloodline.

The Legacy of Brian's Retirement

The legacy of Brian O'Connor's retirement in the Fast & Furious franchise is a testament to the emotional depth and real-life tribulations that influenced the character's journey. From the tragic loss of Paul Walker to the heartfelt portrayal of Brian's decision to prioritize family, the franchise has navigated the delicate balance of honoring the character while respecting the actor's untimely passing. As the films continue to evolve and expand, the impact of Brian's retirement reverberates through the narrative, reminding audiences of the enduring bond between family, loyalty, and the enduring legacy of a beloved character.