Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson called out Vin Diesel for going public trying to convince him to return to the Fast & Furious film series after he told him he wasn’t coming back.
The 49-year-old superstar, speaking with CNN Wednesday, said he was ‘very surprised’ to see Diesel, 54, take to Instagram last month with a post trying to sign him on for the next installment of the series to reprise his role of Luke Hobbs.
‘My little brother Dwayne… the time has come,’ Diesel said in the November 7 post. ‘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.’
The latest: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 49, called out Vin Diesel, 54, for going public trying to convince him to return to the Fast & Furious film series after he told him he wasn’t coming back
Referring to the late Paul Walker, Diesel said, ‘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. Hobbs can’t be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.’
Johnson told CNN that he and Diesel chat about the topic ‘this past June,’ and he ‘told him directly – and privately – that [he] would not be returning to the franchise.’
Said the wrestler-turned-actor: ‘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.’
Johnson said he was ‘very surprised’ to see Diesel take to Instagram last month with a post trying to sign him on for the next installment of the series to reprise his role of Luke Hobbs
Johnson said that ‘Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation,’ and that he ‘didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker’s death,’ adding, ‘Leave them out of it’
The Red Notice star said that he also told his business associates at Universal Pictures about his decision, and that they ‘were very supportive as they understand the problem.’
Johnson said that ‘Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation,’ and that he ‘didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker’s death,’ adding, ‘Leave them out of it.’
The Young Rock personality said that he and Diesel ‘had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding’ on the issue, and that Diesel bringing it into the ‘public dialogue has muddied the waters.’
Johnson said that he’d always hoped to wrap up his stint in the action film series ‘with gratitude and grace,’ and that he believes the film will ‘deliver for the audience’ when it comes out.
‘I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter,’ he said.
Johnson and Diesel were snapped with one another at the Fast and the Furious 5 premiere in 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The rift between Johnson and Diesel went public in 2016 when Johnson wrote on Instagram, ‘Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t. The ones that don’t are too chicken s*** to do anything about it anyway. Candy a**es.’
Diesel told Men’s Health earlier this year that he ‘could give a lot of tough love’ while working with Johnson on the action films: ‘Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I’d have to do in order to get performances in anything I’m producing.’
In response, Johnson told Vanity Fair, ‘One part of me feels like there’s no way I would dignify any of that bull**** with an answer. I’ve been around the block a lot of times. Unlike [Diesel], I did not come from the world of theater. And, you know, I came up differently and was raised differently.’
Johnson said he ‘came from a completely different culture and environment’ and ventures ‘into every project giving it [his] all.
‘And if I feel that there’s some things that need to be squared away and handled and taken care of, then I do it. And it’s just that simple. So when I read that, just like everybody else, I laughed. I laughed hard. We all laughed. And somewhere I’m sure Fellini is laughing too.’
