By Charles Switzer
2:37pm PST, Jan 8, 2025
When 'One Too Many Action Stars Occupy the Same Space'
At the
2025 Golden Globes,
Vin Diesel, 57, surprised audiences with an unscripted greeting to his former
Fast & Furious costar,
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, 52. Taking the stage to present an award, Diesel casually said, "Hi Dwayne," accompanied by a smile, prompting cameras to capture Johnson's smiling reaction.
The moment stunned many viewers since the pair reportedly started feuding in 2016 after filming
The Fate of the Furious.
Let's take a look at what kicked off this unexpected feud, and where it stands today with the titans of action flicks.
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What Vin Diesel 'Was Cookin' in 2016:
During the filming of
The Fate of the Furious, Johnson posted a since-deleted Instagram message expressing frustration with unnamed male costars, stating, "Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don't."
TMZ reported that the rant was specifically targeted at Diesel.
April 2017: Diesel Addresses the Feud
In an interview with
USA Today, Diesel commented on the rumored conflict, suggesting that their differences were exaggerated and emphasizing their professional relationship.
"I think some things may be blown out of proportion," he told the newspaper. "I don't think that was his intention. I know he appreciates how much I work this franchise. In my house, he's Uncle Dwayne."
On-Set Tensions and Production Delays
Reports from the
Fast & Furious set indicated that Diesel's behavior, including showing up late and causing delays, contributed to the discord. Sources recounted similar behavior from Diesel, suggesting a pattern that may have exacerbated tension with Johnson.
"It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character," the
XXX actor told
Men's Health in 2021. "My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be. I could give a lot of tough love. Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I'd have to do in order to get performances in anything I'm producing."
July 2021: Johnson Confirms Departure from the Franchise
Johnson announced he would not return for future
Fast & Furious films, telling
The Hollywood Reporter, "I wish them well on Fast 9. And I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me."
November 2021: Diesel's Public Appeal
Diesel extended an olive branch via
Instagram urging Johnson to reprise his role, stating, "My little brother Dwayne… the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10. As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don't send well wishes… but the time has come. Legacy awaits."
He then pleaded, "I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10! 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."
December 2021: Johnson Declines Diesel's Invitation
In response to Diesel's public appeal, Johnson told CNN, "I was very surprised by Vin's recent post… I told him directly 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."
May 2023: Johnson's Surprise Return
Despite previous statements, Johnson made a cameo appearance in the post-credits scene of
Fast X, signaling a potential reconciliation. This appearance was unexpected, given Johnson's previous statements about his departure from the series due to the rift with Diesel.
The cameo was first reported by
The Wrap, highlighting Johnson's return as Luke Hobbs, a character he portrayed in earlier installments of the franchise. Following the release of
Fast X, Diesel addressed Johnson's return, expressing enthusiasm for the renewed collaboration.
He stated, "We have a lot of great talent adding to the franchise and the result is something that fans are going to love."
Co-Stars Weigh In on the Dispute
Other cast members, including
Michelle Rodriguez and
Tyrese Gibson, commented on the feud. Gibson, in particular, took to his
Instagram to criticize Johnson's decision to pursue a
Fast & Furious spin-off, suggesting it caused delays for the main franchise.
"Congratulations to [Johnson] and your brother-in-law a.k.a. 7 Bucks producing partner [
Hiram Garcia] for making the
Fast and the Furious franchise about YOU – and like you, DJ even if they call I will not be deleting this post – [good night] folks see you in 2020 April. [Fast Family,] right? Nah… It's about #TeamDewayne [sic], [3 years,] will it be worth the wait? [No Shaw] just Hobbs will this be another Baywatch?" the
Four Brothers star pointed out.
'They're Bros, Man'
Rodriguez told
Us Weekly in 2019, "Any human being who knows what men are like knows to stay out [of those] situations and let them figure it out. They're 'bros,' man. They're friends, and ultimately even friends reach a point where they have to set aside their differences to make a movie for multicultural people around the world, and that is the bigger scheme of things."
Diesel Puts Gibson in Check
The action star wrote a passioned reply to Gibson's frustration on his
Instagram. "I know there has been a lot of speculation as to why the Fast 9 release date was pushed… but it would be unfair to say it is anyone's fault."
"As we plot the course to expand the
Fast & Furious universe, one must be mindful to take stock of the roads we took to get here," he said. "The pillars of authenticity, family and most importantly, our loyal fan's perspective has been instrumental in procuring success."
The Feud Simmers
"Lastly, but not least, want to thank brother Vin for your support of
Hobbs & Shaw," The Rock told
Rolling Stone in 2018.
He then quipped, "I'll be seeing you soon, Toretto."
January 2025: Golden Globes Interaction
Following the event, Diesel addressed the moment by posting a 2011 photo of himself and Johnson on
Instagram, captioned "All love… Always," suggesting a desire to move past previous conflicts.
Despite this public display, some observers noted an underlying tension. During the ceremony, Johnson's response appeared strained, and the brief interaction was described as "awkward," leading to speculation about the true state of their relationship.
The rift "seems to be in Johnson's hands as to whether it will ever end," an Instagram commenter shared.
Industry Impact and Future Collaborations
The feud had implications for the broader film industry, affecting casting decisions and production timelines. Their eventual reconciliation opened doors for future collaborations within the franchise, much to the anticipation of fans.
These insights "highlight the multifaceted nature of Diesel and Johnson's relationship, encompassing professional rivalry, personal differences, and eventual reconciliation," a Hollywood insider pointed out.
Can't We Just Be Friends?
The surprising cameo of Johnson as Luke Hobbs in Fast X (2023) hinted at a thaw in their icy relationship. This appearance, following years of public disputes, "suggests that both stars recognize the value of their partnership — not only for the franchise but also for their fans," one commenter on X shared.
Diesel's public appeal in 2021, calling Johnson his "little brother" and asking him to return for the franchise finale, seemed to demonstrate Diesel's willingness to mend fences for some — then again, could it all just be part of the rift?
