Paul Walker: Fast and Furious has depth

Paul Walker thinks the Fast & Furious franchise is popular because people are starting to appreciate there is more to it than "driving cars and shooting guns".

The actor is known for playing Brian O'Conner in the racing films, with the sixth instalment due for release later this month.

The first movie came out in 2001, and Paul has revealed why he thinks the action films are so successful.

"It's so hard to be objective because I'm in it. I know that what we did way back when had heart. The themes of family, the value of family - those are things that I was completely oblivious to when I was making it," he admitted.

"To me I was like, 'Man I get to drive cars I get to shoot guns and I get to bust bad guys.' At that time in my life that was all that mattered. And to be honest with you I think a lot of people were watching it and though that was all it was too.

"I think people know are a little older and are like 'I like these people, I like their family' and what's even cooler is when they're bringing their kids to it. A real family. It's cool. I like it."

Fast & Furious 6 boasts an all-star cast including Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson and Michelle Rodriguez.

Paul, 39, thinks there is a great mix of "grounded" characters and "comic book, larger than life" types.

"I think there really is somebody for everybody in this that they can connect with. We got it with the dudes, the women. We got it across the board," he told Total Film.

Paul is excited for fans to see the newest instalment of the film franchise.

"Now it's just so well oiled. We've been doing this for a long time, so we're doing it bigger and it's easier," he smiled.