'Hobbs Can't Be Played By No Other': The saga of Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson's 'Fast and Furious' feud
Revisiting the much-publicized feud between 'Fast and Furious' stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, and Diesel's public plea for Johnson's return to the franchise.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:25 PM ISTRevisiting the much-publicized feud between 'Fast and Furious' stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, and Diesel's public plea for Johnson's return to the franchise.
Vin and Dwayne (Source: MensXP)
Fasten your seatbelts, 'Fast and Furious' fans. Back in 2021, a well-publicized feud took an unexpected turn when star Vin Diesel reached out to his estranged co-star Dwayne Johnson, hoping to reunite for the much-anticipated 'Fast 10'.
"My Little Brother Dwayne... The Time Has Come"
As reported by Deadline, Diesel took to Instagram to extend a very public olive branch to the wrestler-turned-actor Johnson, fondly referred to as "my little brother Dwayne". Diesel's heartfelt plea was driven by his desire to see Johnson reprise his role as Luke Hobbs for the franchise's grand finale.
Diesel appealed to their shared history, reminding Johnson of the familial bond their children have cultivated, referring to Johnson as "Uncle Dwayne". He called on the star to not leave the franchise idle, as the role of Hobbs was exclusively Johnson's to play.
Legacy, 'Tough Love', and a Call to Action
Diesel's attempt at reconciliation followed his earlier confession in Men's Health, where he admitted to using "tough love" to elicit the best performance from Johnson during their collaboration on 'The Fate of the Furious' in 2016.
Despite the friction between the stars, Diesel persisted in his appeal, stating, "I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny." It was an open acknowledgment of Johnson's crucial role in the franchise, and a desperate bid to mend fences for the sake of the 'Fast and Furious' legacy.
Johnson, despite Diesel's overtures, remained mum on the issue.
The Fate of the Franchise
In an April conversation with Deadline, Director Justin Lin expressed optimism about the return of both Hobbs (Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) for the final two films. Lin asserted, "Whatever we do, whenever we’re talking about the next chapter, I never feel like I have any restrictions."
The ball, it seems, was and still remains in Johnson's court. While 'Fast 10' has rolled on, fans continue to wonder if the beloved character of Luke Hobbs will make a triumphant return, restoring the on-screen chemistry that was a cornerstone of the 'Fast and Furious' franchise.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)