As the Fast & Furious franchise comes to a close and the 10th film approaches, much has been made of the feud between series actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Vin Diesel. In a recent interview, Johnson doubled down on his determination not to participate in another one of its films.
“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,” Johnson told CNN recently. “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.”
That has not stopped Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto and is one of the producers driving the series, from posting an Instagram message beseeching Johnson to return to his role as Hobbs.
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“My little brother Dwayne… the time has come,” Diesel wrote on Instagram. “I say this out of love… but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play. Hobbs can’t be played by no other.”
In his message, though, the actor and producer also referred to his children, whom he claims call Johnson “Uncle Dwayne,” and to Paul Walker, another of the series’ actors, who sadly passed away in 2013. In his interview with CNN, Johnson was particularly unhappy with these evocations, criticizing Diesel for bringing them up publicly.
“Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation,” he said. “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.”
US News reports that the actors’ feud dates back to at least 2016 when Johnson referred to unnamed members of the Fast and Furious cast as “candy asses” in a since-deleted Instagram post. Following years of tension between the actors, Johnson announced in July that he wished the cast and crew the Fast Saga well, but that he would not be returning for any more films.
With just two films left in the franchise, Fast 10 and Fast 11, rumors suggest that filming on the next film will begin this month. The films may be shot back to back in order to better wrap up the series and the first of the two will be released in 2023.