They have faced terrorists, hackers with evil plans, dictators, and even evil brothers, but the “family” of Fast and furious He has not been able to fully resolve the fight between Vin Diesel and La Roca, two of his stars. Almost 7 years after the conflict began, and to commemorate the premiere of the tenth film in the saga, it is time to recap everything that has happened between two of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
The message that started it all
In August 2016, while filming for fast and furious 8, Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock, published a controversial message through his Instagram account. Although he was eliminated shortly after, it could be read that he was not exactly happy with all his castmates. These were his words:
“This is my last week of filming on Fast & Furious 8. There is no other franchise that makes my blood boil more than this one. An incredibly hard working team. Universal has also been a great partner. My co-stars are always amazing and I adore them. My co-stars, on the other hand, are a different story. Some are good guys and great professionals, others are not. Those are too scared to do anything about it. Some cowards. When they see the movie in April and it looks like I’m not acting in those scenes and I’m about to explode, they’ll be right. The good thing is that it suits the movie and Hobbs as a character, which blends extremely well with my DNA. Last week of Fast and Furious 8 and I will finish it strong.
As if clarification was missing in this regard, the magazine People published an article based on various people who were in the filming. Some pointed to unprofessional behavior on the part of The Rock, and the rest claimed that Vin Diesel had divo gestures during filming. Whatever the reason, the truth is that the characters did not have scenes together during the film.
the first hints
Although it wasn’t entirely clear at first who these “not nice and professional” guys were, fans wrote Tyrese Gibson off almost immediately. A few days after The Rock exploded on Instagram, the actor posted a video where he was seen living with Johnson and his family. He even mentioned that Paul Walker would like everyone to look like a family.
But Vin Diesel could not be left behind. Instagram witnessed how Toretto’s interpreter uploaded a video with his daughter, who had uttered the word “happy” for the first time. At the end, Diesel mentioned, with an admittedly harsh tone of voice, the words “Give me a second, I’ll tell you everything. ALL”. Many speculated that he was referring to the problems in the saga, but this was not the case.
A way to sell the film?
Just when things were getting more intense, a brief ray of light illuminated the fans of the saga who had already chosen sides. life&style published an article where it was hinted that it was all a publicity stunt to get the public even more interested in the film. At the end of the day, the saga came from his highest grossing film (Fast and furious 7, with more than $1.5 billion dollars) and Universal did not want to lose those dollars. The text mentioned that, in April 2017, days after the premiere, The Rock and Vin Diesel would get into a WWE ring to increase the drama and fight face to face. It didn’t happen either.
The reasons for the fight
It was September 2016, and La Roca posted a new message on Instagram. It read that conflicts are positive for growth, but that it was also too late for the world to forget what happened. At the same time, various media began to speculate about what could have caused the fight.
It was mentioned that Diesel had already bothered Johnson since the filming of the seventh film, that Toretto’s interpreter was extremely late, and it was evident that he had a very flattering contract. The type of contract that La Roca usually had in his productions. But not being the protagonist, he did not have access to the same facilities.
Protecting “Uncle Dwayne”
April 2017. The premiere of fast and furious 8. In an interview for usa today, Vin Diesel is questioned about the scandal of the previous months. He lovingly sends the following message:
“I think some things may be out of proportion. I don’t think that was his intention. I know he appreciates how much I work on this franchise. In my house, he’s Uncle Dwayne, I protect the franchise and I protect everyone, including Dwayne. I’m more protective of him than he’ll ever know and it doesn’t matter, he doesn’t have to know, but I know he appreciates it, he knows it. Dwayne only has one Vin in his life. Dwayne Johnson only has one older brother in this movie world and that’s me.”
Even with all of the above, the release of the film revealed that something strange had evidently happened before or during filming. There are no scenes between the actors, there is no palpable chemistry, the friendship on the screen is nil. Even the end of the tape suggests that Hobbs, a character from The Rock, may not return to the saga.
The explanation of The Rock
In 2018, after a relatively quiet year, La Roca was preparing for the premiere of films such as Rampage: Devastation and Skyscrapers: Rescue in the heights. During the promotion, rolling stones interviewed the actor and asked him about what happened with Vin Diesel. Fortunately, the outlet was able to obtain more information than was available up to that time.
“It’s true. We weren’t in any scene together (from Fast and Furious 8). Vin and I had several discussions, including a major face-off in my trailer. And what I came to understand is that we have huge differences in our philosophies about how to approach making a film and collaborating. It took me a while, but I’m grateful for that clarity. Whether we work together again or not.”
Has reconciliation finally arrived?
The situation with Vin Diesel and The Rock seemed to be reaching its best moment in years. In 2019, Johnson prepared all the details for the premiere of Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw. The former fighter would star in the first spin-off of the saga thanks to the good roots of his character among the public. Obviously, Diesel’s Toretto would not appear on the tape, but that does not mean that the latter stayed away from the tape. Again on Instagram, La Roca posted a video where he thanked his fellow actor for his support.
“Last but not least, I want to thank my brother Vin for his support of Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw. I saw your message and I appreciate it. As you know, a tremendous journey is and has been all this. 10 years ago when we spoke and you invited me to join the Fast and Furious family. I am grateful for that invitation. And as you know, my goal for all these years was to join this world and help elevate the franchise in any way that I could. Of course, all roads lead somewhere. I’ll see you soon, Toretto.”
problems resurface
In 2021, when fast and furious 9 was about to hit theaters, Vin Diesel warmed things up again in an interview for indiewire. There he recounted the following:
“The character of Hobbs was difficult to play. My focus at the time was to offer a lot of tough love to help get acting where it needed to be. As a producer I said, ‘Okay, let’s bring in Dwayne Johnson, who is associated with wrestling, and we’re going to force this world of cinema, and the public, by making his character someone they don’t know.’
For many, such statements hinted at the true origin of the conflict: Diesel believed, in some way, that The Rock owed his status as an action movie star to him. In the end, it was Fast and Furious the franchise that catapulted him as an actor, but not precisely because of Diesel’s instructions.
when he promoted Jungle CruiseThe Rock responded ironically to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I think everyone laughed at that. And I wish them the best of luck with Fast and Furious 10 and 11 and all the movies in the saga that they make and will be without me.”
More tell and tell
In November 2021, months after the premiere of fast and furious 9and in the middle of the pre-production of the tenth film in the saga, Vin Diesel once again drew the attention of the public with a tender message on Instagram.
“My little brother Dwayne… the time has come. The world is waiting for the end of Fast and Furious 10. As you know, my kids refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There isn’t a holiday that goes by that they and you don’t send each other well wishes… but the time has come. The legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to keep my promise to Pablo. I swore we were going to catch up and do the best ‘Rapid’ in the final, 10! I say this out of love… but you must show up, don’t leave the franchise empty, you have a very important role to play. Hobbs cannot be played by anyone else. I hope you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”
More than a month later, La Roca responded to the controversial message, but with words that Diesel surely did not expect. Basically, he made it clear that he had no intention of returning to the franchise. He even considered his words as manipulation. These were some of his words to CNN:
“I told him directly that I would not return to the franchise. I was firm but kind with my words and said that I would always support the cast and always root for the success of the franchise, but there was no chance of him coming back. 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 the death of Paul Walker. Leave them out of this. We had talked months ago about this and we came to a clear understanding.”
Is it now the definitive reconciliation?
May 2023. Just a few days before the premiere of fast and furious 10, the news is not very positive. Pre-sales in China, where previous movies have been a phenomenon, are poor. The data from the United States are not encouraging either. The movie has a huge budget and needs a huge box office to be a success. The road seems complicated and there is not, apparently, much interest in the outcome of the saga.
As if that were not enough, Vin Diesel himself reveals that Fast and Furious will not end in movie 11, but could be extended a little longer. The tenth tape could serve as the beginning of a new trilogy, but… How to raise the interest of the audience? According to information from The WrapDwayne Johnson will return to the franchise, and his reappearance occurs in the post credits scene of fast and furious 10. Has he finally made peace with Vin Diesel? Will this be the beginning of more collaborations for the good of the saga or could new disputes be generated by coexistence?
Prepare your seatbelts, because a new and complicated path is about to begin. Fast and Furious 10 is now available in all theaters in Mexico.
Juan Jose Cruz I am one of those who always defended Robert Pattinson as Batman and can see the same movie in the theater up to 7 times. My guilty pleasure? Low budget horror movie.