Universal plans donation to Paul Walker's charity
After the actor's death in a fiery car wreck Saturday, the studio has pledged to give a percentage of the proceeds from th...
http://elem2015.blogspot.com/2013/12/universal-plans-donation-to-paul.html
After the actor's death
in a fiery car wreck Saturday, the studio has pledged to give a
percentage of the proceeds from the home entertainment sales of "Fast
& Furious 6" to Walker's charity, Reach Out WorldWide.
The 40-year-old founded
the organization, which works with local experts to provide disaster
relief, in January 2010, after Haiti was devastated by an earthquake.
On the day of his death, Walker was attending a holiday toy drive for the organization.
"With the passing of
Paul, the world has lost a man who spent a great deal of his life in
service to others," the chairman of Universal Pictures, Donna Langley,
said in a statement Tuesday. "We share in the deep grief of his family,
friends and the countless fans who love him. We keep Paul's memory alive
and honor his legacy through continued support of Reach Out WorldWide,
the non-profit he founded to give hope to those who must rebuild after
they have experienced natural disasters."
"Fast & Furious 6"
was a juggernaut at the box office when it was released in May, and went
on to earn $238 million domestically and $788 million worldwide. The
DVD and Blu-ray will be released on December 10.
Walker's family has
requested that grieving fans and friends donate to Reach Out WorldWide
in lieu of sending flowers. "It's comforting for them to know that the
son, brother, and father they love so much is equally adored, respected,
and appreciated by so many," the actor's family said in a statement.
"Paul founded the organization with the genuine desire to help others,
and it's important to his family to keep his memory alive through ROWW."
The seventh installment
of Universal's blockbuster "Fast" franchise was in the works at the time
of Walker's death, and it's still unclear what will become of the
project, which is scheduled to bow in July 2014.
In the meantime, Walker's "Fast & Furious" co-stars are trying to cope with a stunning loss.
Jordana Brewster, who
worked closely with Walker in a number of the "Fast" films, said in a
statement that Walker "was an enormous presence in my life for the past
fourteen years."
As others have, Brewster
made it a point to note Walker's generous spirit. "While many would be
satisfied with material success it made Paul more convinced of the need
to help others," the 33-year-old star said. "He never spoke of his
immense generosity or philanthropic endeavors unless I prodded, however.
This is what made Paul, Paul. He lived with integrity, humanity and
humility and seemed most happy when talking about his daughter, Meadow. I
don't know anyone who lived each moment more fully and loved life more
than Paul; making his loss all the more heartbreaking."
Brewster's comment is part of an incredible outpouring of messages
from people in the entertainment industry. After news of his death
spread, even those who said they didn't know Walker well acknowledged
that they'd heard about his kindness.
Michelle Rodriguez,
another actress who's worked with Walker, tweeted on December 2 that
she's "gonna carry this torch for you brother, with a forced smile on my
face and Im gonna open my heart just cause your telling me to."
Other "Fast" stars, like Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel, have joined fans in mourning at the crash site. Gibson has shared what he calls words of healing with fans, and Diesel posted a farewell message to Walker on his Facebook page.
"Pablo, I wish you could
see the world right now... and the profound impact, your full life has
had on it, on Us... on me," he wrote. "I will always love you Brian, as
the brother you were... on and off screen."