Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious

This billion-dollar blockbuster franchise begins with a magazine article that inspires Universal to make a movie about the underground world of illegal street racing.

With Paul Walker originally locked into a two-picture deal, a sequel is imminent after the success of The Fast and the Furious. However, after Vin Diesel and director Rob Cohen decline to come back, legendary director John Singleton and rising star, Tyrese Gibson, have huge shoes to fill in a movie that pushes the boundaries of danger both on screen and off.

After the medicore reception of "2 Fast 2 Furious," Universal risks it all on a brand-new creative team, a younger cast, and a new kind of racing.

Universal breaks the mold; with bigger and better stunts, international locations and one of Hollywood's biggest stars, the franchise hopes the new direction pays off.

Halfway through filming, the ultimate tragedy takes place; the family pulls together to give their brother one last ride.

The tragic death of Paul Walker creates uncertainty for the future of the franchise; a feud between two cast members could cost them another star.