Paul Walker's character in Fast and Furious 7 to be 'retired' without being killed off

Writer Chris Morgan is reworking footage the actor shot before his death

The late Paul Walker will star in Fast and Furious 7, Universal Pictures have confirmed (EPA)

Paul Walker’s character in Fast and Furious 7 it to be retired without being killed off, according to recent reports.

Production of the seventh action movie was delayed following the lead actor’s tragic death in a fiery Los Angeles car crash last November.

The 40-year-old played FBI detective turned illegal street racer Brian O’Conner in the hit franchise, but there has been much speculation over how director James Wan and writer Chris Morgan will deal with his passing.

Now, the Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Morgan is reworking the script to make a fresh storyline that will enable Walker to depart without having to die on-screen.

The actor had already shot roughly half of the footage before his death but some additional scenes are to be written and filmed to make his departure seem natural.

Following news of the crash, Universal Pictures announced that Fast and Furious 7 will reach cinemas on 10 April 2014, nine months after its planned July release date.

Walker was killed as a result of thermal and traumatic injuries when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a streetlight and tree before bursting into flames. Professional driver Roger Rodas, 38, was behind the wheel and died on impact.

A coroner's report into their deaths revealed that the pair were travelling at an unsafe speed of approximately 100mph when Rodas lost control. Neither Rodas nor Walker had impairing drugs in their systems.