Hollywood
Release of ‘Fast and Furious 7’ postponed until April, 2015
MUMBAI: Vin Diesel, the star of the Fast & the Furious film series has announced a final release date for the last installment of the famous movie franchise.
The untimely death of Paul Walker not only shocked fans all over the world, but it halted the final stretch in making the 7th installment of Fast and the Furious. As a tribute to Walker’s life, the makers decided to finish the film, and his co-star Vin Diesel has announced on his Facebook page that the movie will be released in April in 2015.
“The last scene we filmed together…There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared… in the film we were now completing… the magic captured… and, in just how far we’ve come… Fast and Furious 7 will be released…April 10th 2015!” wrote Diesel with a photo showing him alongside Walker.
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Diesel concluded the post saying “P.s. He’d want you to know first.”
Universal Pictures has confirmed the April 10 release date with E! News, and mentioned that 60 per cent of the film has been already shot before Walker’s death.
The famous actor died in a fatal car accident on November 30 in East Los Angeles. Walker was on the passenger seat of a Porsche Carrera GT driven by friend, Roger Rodas, who also died in the scene. According to investigators leading the case, there was no mechanical issue involved in the accident, and that it was a result of solely too much speed.
Immediately after Walker’s death, Universal released a statement saying that they will stop all movements in relation to the filming of Fast & Furious 7, to pay respect to the friends and relatives of the late actor, as well as to give support to the crew and filmmakers.
However, the studio did say that “all options available to move forward with the franchise,” according to a report by E! Online. There are no final statements or press releases regarding on how the film will unravel its plot without its main character, Brian O’Connor, played by the late Paul Walker.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
