Paul Walker plays undercover cop Brian O'Conner in the 2001 film "The Fast and the Furious". Brian is sent to infiltrate Dominic Toretto's street-racing crew while investigating a series of truck hijackings carried out by skilled drivers.
Directed by Rob Cohen, the film places Brian between two worlds: his police assignment and his growing friendship with Dominic, played by Vin Diesel. Brian initially uses the alias Brian Earl Spilner and earns the crew's respect through his driving ability. His loyalties become increasingly complicated as he develops feelings for Mia Toretto and recognizes the bond within Dominic's family.
The film was the first entry in the Fast & Furious franchise and was inspired partly by a 1998 Vibe magazine article about illegal street racing. Walker's performance made Brian one of the series' central characters. Vin Diesel is a frequent source of confusion because he plays Dominic Toretto, the crew leader, not the undercover officer. The movie was released in June 2001.