When Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel started with handbags at dawn a few years ago, we all laughed at them, thinking it was some kind of publicity stunt. Maybe even a “kayfaybe” approach to marketing straight out of The Rock’s WWE days. The Diesel vs. Johnson feud then started to take on all appearances of being absolutely genuine.
Now it has all blown up again as Johnson has labelled Vin Diesel’s attempts to lure him back to the Fast And Furious as manipulation, and says there is no chance he will return.
The actor, who plays federal agent Luke Hobbs in the franchise, was asked about this feud on CNN, particularly in relation to a November Instagram post from Diesel, in which he spoke of Fast And Furious 10 and implored Johnson to:
“…rise to the occasion and fulfil your destiny”.
Jesus Vin! It’s a pretty dumb franchise for the kind of people who find themselves getting wood in an autoparts store. You and your merry band fight crime through the twin superpowers of car and fambly, while ignoring physics. It is the motion picture equivalent of a P Diddy LP. You ain’t curing cancer!
Anyway, Diesel tugged on heartstrings in that post, added that his children call the actor “Uncle Dwayne” and said that a return to the franchise for Johnson would help him fulfil a promise he made to “Pablo” – his pet name for late co-star Paul Walker.
Dwayne Johnson did not leave much on the table in the interview, and was as direct as he has been about the whole issue:
“This past June, when Vin and I actually connected not over social media, I told him directly – and privately – that I would not be returning to the franchise.
I was firm yet cordial with my words and said that I would always be supportive of the cast and always root for the franchise to be successful, but that there was no chance I would return.
I privately spoke with my partners at Universal as well, all of whom were very supportive as they understand the problem.
Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation. I didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker’s death. Leave them out of it.
We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding. My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible Fast And Furious franchise with gratitude and grace.
It’s unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters.
Regardless, I’m confident in the Fast universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience, and I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter.”
It has long been rumored that Diesel vs Johnson feud began during the filming of the most recent Fast And Furious movies that they starred in together. Johnson was absent from the ninth Fast And Furious movie. One rumor was that the 2019 spin-off Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, where Johnson starred with Jason Statham, was the cause of the disagreement.
Now, I have to go and “fulfill my destiny” by going and getting some groceries.
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