The Fast & Furious franchise sees the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, indicating a resolution to his feud with fellow star Vin Diesel that began six years ago. Johnson confirmed that they had buried the hatchet, so much so that he is now set to return to his role as Luke Hobbs in an upcoming Fast & Furious film.
Johnson tweeted on June 1, “In the forthcoming Fast & Furious film, you’ll encounter the iconic lawman in the HOBBS movie. This film is a fresh chapter and a prelude to Fast X: Part II. Last summer, Vin and I left our past behind, and we pledge to prioritize fraternity, resolution, and the preservation of the franchise, characters, and fans we deeply cherish.”
In a video accompanying the tweet, the 51-year-old actor reflected on his reconciled differences with the 55-year-old Diesel. Johnson stated, “Despite our disagreements, Vin and I have shared a bond similar to brotherhood for many years. We decided to sort out our problems in the interest of larger goals.”
Elaborating on these ‘larger goals,’ Johnson explained that they’re the guiding principle, or ‘north star,’ as he puts it. “In this context, the north star represents the franchise and characters we adore.”
Buoyed by fan support and his love for the franchise, Johnson revealed it was “an easy decision” to return to the Fast & Furious series. He confirmed, “The answer is yes,” followed by a quote from his character, “Daddy’s gotta go to work.”
The feud between Johnson and Diesel traces back to 2016 while filming The Fate of the Furious. Johnson created a stir by disparaging some male co-stars as “chicken s–t” and “candy asses” on Instagram. Although he did not mention names initially, he later admitted to a strained relationship with Diesel during the production.
In a 2018 Rolling Stone interview, Johnson shared, “Vin and I had several discussions, including a crucial face-to-face conversation in my trailer. I realized that we have differing viewpoints on our approach to filmmaking and collaboration.”
Following this, Johnson chose to step away from the next film, F9, to star in the 2019 spin-off Hobbs & Shaw. When the production for the tenth installment of Fast & Furious began, Diesel publicly appealed to his “little brother Dwayne” to rejoin the franchise.
He made a heartfelt plea on an Instagram post in November 2021, expressing their families’ deep connection. But Diesel also referenced his promise to the late Paul Walker about a tenth film. He urged Johnson, “I say this out of love… but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a significant role to play.”
Nevertheless, Johnson viewed Diesel’s appeal as manipulative. In a CNN interview in December 2021, he expressed his disapproval over the mention of Diesel’s children and Paul Walker’s death in the post, asking that they be left out of their feud.
He said, “Regardless, I’m confident in the Fast Universe and its ability to deliver for the audience consistently. I wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter.”
The public feud between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel has been put to rest, much to the delight of the Fast & Furious fanbase. With Johnson returning to the franchise as Luke Hobbs, audiences eagerly anticipate the new dynamic the pair will bring to the upcoming films. Despite their past differences, it is clear that both actors deeply respect the franchise and its fans. Their commitment to the Fast & Furious universe further strengthens its enduring appeal and ensures it remains a stalwart of action cinema.
