NEW YORK » Universal Pictures has shut down production "for a period of time" on "Fast & Furious 7" following the death of its star Paul Walker.

The studio announced Wednesday that the film will shut down "for a period of time so we can assess all options available to move forward with the franchise."

The seventh installment of the street racings series had begun shooting in September. When Walker died in a fiery car crash Saturday, the film was on break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Shooting had been planned to resume Monday in Atlanta, but production was put on hold following Walker’s death.

While much of "Fast & Furious 7" has been filmed, it is far from complete.

Universal is scheduled to release the film in July.