Paul Walker was the heart and soul of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, so when he passed away in 2013 many wondered how or why the series would continue on without him.
On Tuesday, his former co-star and franchise veteran Michelle Rodriguez set the record straight. "We got to keep it street for the world – it's a global affair now," Rodriguez told People magazine while promoting her new film "Re(Assignment)" at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival.
The 38-year-old actress admitted Walker was the cast member who truly loved the genre and the fast car lifestyle, so his loss left a hole in the series and required everyone else to find a new reason to carry on.
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel attend the world premiere of 'Fast And Furious 6' at The Empire Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England.
"We're living in a world now where there aren't any franchises – outside of you know hero movies you know and sci-fi – that actually address the lack of multiculturalism at that scale," Rodriguez said of the now 15-year-old franchise.
"You don't see a hundred and fifty million dollar budgeted film with a Latin person, a black person, a – you know – Asian person and if you know we're not just willing to do it for ourselves and we're not just willing to do it for the money then we need another reason and that's our reason."
Following the release of "Furious 7" in 2015, the "Fast and Furious" franchise was propelled into the top 15 most successful North American movie franchises list.
The next installment of the series, "Fast 8," is scheduled to be released on April 14, 2017.
Walker died when a Porsche he was riding in crashed on Nov. 30, 2013. He was 40 years old.
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Paul Walker
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File-This March 21, 2013 file photo shows actor Paul Walker wearing a creation from the Colcci summer collection at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A publicist for actor Walker says the star of the "Fast & Furious" movie series has died in a car crash north of Los Angeles. He was 40. Ame Van Iden says Walker died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. No further details were released. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File) (credit:AP)
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Paul Walker at the premiere of 2Fast 2Furious in London. Half length.Shaun Pattenden/allaction.co.uk (credit:PA)
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U.S. actor Paul Walker wears a creation from the Colcci summer collection at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, March 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:AP)
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FILE In this Feb. 14, 2006 file photo, actor Paul Walker, appears on stage during a taping for MTV's 'Total Request Live' show at the MTV Times Square Studios in New York. Walker is in New Orleans for the making of the suspense thriller, "Hours." The film is about a father struggling to keep his newborn daughter alive in a New Orleans hospital ravaged during Hurricane Katrina. "The Fast and the Furious" star plays the role of Nolan, a father trying to keep his daughter alive in an incubator through power outages, rising water and descending chaos. "Hours" will be filming in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana for about a month. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, file) (credit:AP)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the World Premiere of 'Fast & Furious 6' at Empire Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actors Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Tyrese Gibson attend the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actor Paul Walker attends the World Premiere of 'Fast & Furious 6' at Empire Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Actors Paul Walker and Vin Diesel attends the 'Fast & Furious 6' World Premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures) (credit:Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 16: Actors Vin Diesel (L) and Paul Walker attend a Universal Pictures presentation to promote their upcoming film 'Fast & Furious 6' at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 16: (L-R) Actor Paul Walker, and actresses Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez attend a Universal Pictures presentation to promote their upcoming film 'Fast & Furious 6' at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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CULVER CITY, CA - APRIL 14: (L-R) Actors Jordana Brewster, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel speak onstage during the 2013 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Pictures Studios on April 14, 2013 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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CULVER CITY, CA - APRIL 14: (L-R) Actors Jordana Brewster, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel speak onstage during the 2013 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Pictures Studios on April 14, 2013 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 25: Actors Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster attends Fast and Furious photocall at the Santo Mauro Hotel on March 25, 2009 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BOCHUM, GERMANY - MARCH 17: Actor Paul Walker attends the europe premiere of 'The Fast and the Furious 4' at UCI cinema world at Ruhrpark on March 17, 2009 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US actor Paul Walker poses with fans as he arrives for the British Premiere of his latest film, 'Fast & Furious' in London's Leicester Square on March 19, 2009. AFP Photo/Max Nash (Photo credit should read MAX NASH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US actors Vin Diesel (R) and Paul Walker pose during a photocall ahead of the European premiere of the movie 'Fast & Furious' by Taiwanese-American director Justin Lin on March 17, 2009 in Bochum, western Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ VOLKER HARTMANN GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read VOLKER HARTMANN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BOCHUM, GERMANY - MARCH 17: (L-R) Actor Paul Walker, actress Jordana Brewster, actress Michelle Rodriguez and actor Vin Diesel attend the Europe premiere of 'The Fast and the Furious 4' at UCI cinema world at Ruhrpark on March 17, 2009 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Actors Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker, and Jordana Brewster arrive at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actors Vin Diesel (L) and Paul Walker arrive at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Actors Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker, and Jordana Brewster arrive at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Paul Walker (L) and actress Jordana Brewster arrive at the premiere Universal's 'Fast & Furious' held at Universal CityWalk Theaters on March 12, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 04: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere Of Summit Entertainment's 'Never Back Down' at the Cinerama Dome March 4, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 15: (U.S. TABLOIDS OUT) Actor Paul Walker stops by MTV Studios for a taping of MTV2 presents 'Rock Countdown' February 15, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 12: Director Frank Marshall (L), actor Paul Walker and Disney's Dick Cook pose at the premiere of Disney's 'Eight Below' at the El Capitan Theater on February 12, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 12: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere of Disney's 'Eight Below' at the El Capitan Theater on February 12, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 12: Actor Paul Walker poses with DJ at the premiere of Disney's 'Eight Below' at the El Capitan Theater on February 12, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 12: Actors Paul Walker (L), Moon Bloodgood, Bruce Greenwood and Jason Biggs pose at the premiere of Disney's 'Eight Below' at the El Capitan Theater on February 12, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 12: Actor Paul Walker poses with Koda Bear (L) and DJ at the premiere of Disney's 'Eight Below' at the El Capitan Theater on February 12, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 4: Actor Paul Walker arrives to the 2005 MTV Movie Awards at the Shrine Auditorium June 4, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. The 14th annual award show will premiere on MTV Thursday, June 9 at 9:00PM (ET/PT). (Photo By Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 04: Actor Paul Walker (left) and Actress Ziyi Zhang onstage during the 2005 MTV Movie Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on June 4, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. The 14th annual award show will premiere on MTV Thursday, June 9 at 9:00PM (ET/PT). (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 04: Actor Paul Walker (left) and Actress Ziyi Zhang onstage during the 2005 MTV Movie Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on June 4, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. The 14th annual award show will premiere on MTV Thursday, June 9 at 9:00PM (ET/PT). (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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JACKSONVILLE, FL - FEBRUARY 05: Actor Paul Walker at the 3rd Annual Cadillac Super Bowl Grand Prix at the CSX Parking Lot on February 5, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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JACKSONVILLE, FL - FEBRUARY 5: Actor Paul Walker attends 'Maximony' Maxim's 2005 Super Bowl Party on February 5, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 9: Actors Paul Walker and Penelope Cruz attend the premiere of 'Noel' on November 9, 2004 in New York City. The film will be the first movie to be released on Flexplay DVD, a new technology that enables time limited on demand viewing of movies. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 3: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the premiere of '2 Fast 2 Furious' at the Universal Amphitheatre on June 3, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 19: Actor Paul Walker attends the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 19, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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406074 103: Actors Paul Walker (L) and Vin Diesel were honored with the Best Screen Team Award for the movie 'The Fast and the Furious' at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards June 1, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. The awards will air on the MTV Network June 6, 2002. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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402972 16: Actor Paul Walker attends a celebrity party March 23, 2002 in Beverly Hills, CA. (Photo by David Klein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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390644 06: Actor Paul Walker arrives at the world premiere of Universal Pictures'' 'The Fast and the Furious' June 18, 2001 in Westwood, CA. (Photo by Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BERLIN, GERMANY - June 10: Actor Paul Walker (L), Eva Mendes and actor Tyrese attend the opening of the new film '2 Fast 2 Furious' June 10, 2003 in Berlin, Germany. The Universal film, a follow up to 2001?s ?The Fast and the Furious?, has grossed $52.1 million in its first three days making it the number one film in American theatres. (Photo by Kurt Vinion/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 19: Actor Paul Walker attends the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 19, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)