Fans all over the world continue to mourn Paul Walker today, but 'Fast & Furious' viewers aren't the only ones who miss the late actor. Not only did Walker star in one of the biggest franchises of the current era, but he also had a reputation for being super-talented yet down to earth.
Fans can point to plenty of missed opportunities when it comes to Paul, too. He even came close to playing Anakin Skywalker back in the day. Were he still alive today, who knows how far his career could have grown, especially given the expanse of the 'Star Wars' universe (and fan base).
Of course, there's one thing that's certain: Paul probably would've loved to share the big screen with his 'Fast & Furious' friends a few more (or a few dozen more) times had he survived the car crash that ultimately took his life.
But when it comes to one particular co-star, fans kind of wonder how close the two really were. Tyrese, a star in his own right, though his peak may have been back in the '90s rap movement, acted alongside Walker starting in '2 Fast 2 Furious.'
So, were Tyrese and Paul BFFs in real life?
Did Tyrese Get Along With The 'Fast & Furious' Cast?
To be clear, Tyrese hasn't always gotten along with his co-stars. In fact, things got heated between him and James Franco on set one time (while they were filming 'Annapolis'). But in terms of the 'Fast & Furious' franchise, the core crew seemed to get along well.
In fact, an entry on Tyrese's Wikipedia page refers to Paul as his best friend. Sources suggest that Tyrese became Roman Pearce by chance, but that he and Paul formed a friendship that survived beyond their time on set.
How Did Paul Walker And Tyrese Gibson Meet?
The story of how Paul and Tyrese met is equal parts standard Hollywood and totally out-there. The pair were set to appear in '2 Fast 2 Furious' together, so they connected and started hanging out before they began filming.
It was 2003, and both guys were single. But they were each seeing someone at the time... And it turned out they were seeing the same someone, an "extra" on set named Cindy. But instead of having an all-out brawl over the two-timer, the guys formed a "bromance forever after that," noted Tyrese.
How Long Were Tyrese And Paul Walker Friends?
After realizing they were being cheated on by the same woman, Tyrese and Paul forged a bond that would last nearly a decade. Walker passed away in 2013, and Tyrese continues to commemorate his late friend to this day.
While fans won't ever forget Paul, those closest to him clearly feel his absence more intensely than any fan of their hit franchise ever will.