Despite previous reports, Paul Walker's Fast & Furious 7 character may not leave the franchise via retirement.

There has been no official word on how Brian O'Conner will be taken out of Fast & Furious 7 or how his departure will be played out in any future films part the franchise contrary to speculation about his exit, according to the Guardian Liberty Voice.

The Hollywood Reporter posted an online article on Jan. 3, 2014, entitled Universal to 'Retire' Paul Walker's 'Fast & Furious' Character, citing sources saying Universal Studios was planning to "retire" Walker's character as opposed to having him die as part of the film's plotline. The article said writer Chris Morgan, director James Wan and the film's lead executive, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, would find a way to "tweak the existing script so that Walker would remain a part of the story but could be written out, allowing the franchise to continue without him."

Paul Walker's Replacement Cast For Two Upcoming Roles?

Morgan has since denied the rumors.

"I saw that and I wasn't quite sure where that was coming from," he said to IGN after reading THR piece. "There's nothing set in stone at all. Those are the conversations we're just now having. Nothing's decided. Everything is still open and on the table."

Tyrese Gibson Discusses Paul Walker's Death

Morgan asserted the only concern now is finding the best approach as the series movies forward.

"I mean at this point, everyone took a break and we're having time to grieve," he said. "And now everyone is coming together, linking arms and trying to figure out what the best way forward is. And that's kind of the stage we're at right now. Everyone is motivated to make it something special and move forward in the right way."

Fast & Furious 7 was originally slated for release in the summer of 2014. In the wake of Walker's death on Nov. 30, the release date was pushed back to April 10, 2015 

Tags: Fast and Furious 7 Paul Walker Movies