Before Fast & Furious: Paul Walker’s forgotten thriller that launched a Secret Society trilogy (Photo credit – Instagram)
Before Paul Walker got behind the wheel of Fast and Furious, he appeared in a lesser-known mystery drama set in a world far removed from the racetrack. The Skulls, released in 2000, placed Walker in a world of Covert alongside Joshua Jackson.
The film grossed over $50 million globally (per Box Office Mojo ), made on a modest $15 million budget. While not widely remembered today, the film didn’t stop there. It later spawned two low-profile follow-ups, both of which quietly expanded on the idea of underground student societies and their secrets.
Paul Walker’s Secret Society Trilogy, by Paul Walker
Directed by Rob Cohen, The Skulls tells the story of Luke McNamara ( Paul Walker ), a driven student attending a University Law School’s Financial Aid Department. His life takes a sharp turn when he is handpicked to join a hidden student organization called The Skulls, a society inspired by the real-life skull and bones of Yale. Joshua Jackson plays Caleb Mandrake, another recruit, born into wealth and power.
Unlimited potential. Unconditional power. But at what cost? #Skulls #Fbf #Teampw pic.twitter.com/34fak4mglv
— Paul Walker (@realpaulwalker) January 29, 2016
The two characters are introduced through a shared act and become close allies until a tragic event begins to reveal the cracks beneath. Luke’s best friend dies suddenly, and from that moment on, Luke’s trust in society begins to erode. As he delves deeper into the group’s hidden affairs, he finds himself isolated.
Two years after the film’s theatrical release, Skulls II went straight to DVD in 2002. The new chapter introduced Ryan Sommers (Robin Dunne), a college student whose brother, Greg (James Gallanders), is already part of the society. Ryan initially shows little interest, but soon stumbles upon details about a woman named Diane, whose mysterious death is linked to the Skulls’ inner circle. His friend Jeff (Christopher Ralph) and girlfriend (Ashley Lyn Cafagna) are caught in the fallout as he drifts away from normal life.
In 2004, Skulls III continued the trend. The story follows Taylor Brooks (Clare Kramer), a student determined to break into male society. Despite the barriers, she enters. Barry Bostwick appears as a senior figure. Both sequels deviated from the original plot and characters, using the group of skulls as the only connecting thread. As of now, neither film is available for streaming.
“If a secret society can give you everything you want… imagine what they can take away?” – #Theskulls #Teampw pic.twitter.com/lbradsekhg
— Paul Walker (@realpaulwalker) October 15, 2016
Check out our recommendations on What to Watch
Must Read: Top 5 Dhurandhar Superstar Ranveer Singh Movies Ranked by IMDB Ratings and Where to Watch Them
Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google News
