The Luke Hobbs depicter turns down Diesel's invite to return for the next and final installment in the 'Fast and Furious' film franchise, saying they had reached an agreement privately 'that I would not be returning to the franchise.'
- Dec 30, 2021
AceShowbiz - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson isn't going to pretend that everything is good between him and Vin Diesel. Following the latter's invite for him to return to the "Fast & Furious" film franchise, the former wrestler has slammed the Dominic Toretto depicter over his "manipulation."
Johnson responded to Diesel's public plea for him to return for the tenth and final installment of the action film series in an interview with CNN. Insisting that "there was no chance [he] would return," he claimed that he and Diesel had reached an agreement over the matter in private.
"I was very surprised by Vin's recent post. 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," the "Jungle Cruise" star said. He explained, "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."
The "Jumanji: The Next Level" actor went on calling out Diesel for bringing up his children and late actor Paul Walker in an attempt to lure Johnson back to the franchise. "Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation," he snarked. "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. My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible 'Fast & Furious' franchise with gratitude and grace. It's unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters," he stressed, before expressing his well wishes for the "Fast & Furious" family, "Regardless, I'm confident in the 'Fast' universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience, and I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter."
Johnson first joined the franchise with 2011's "Fast Five". Following an on-set feud during the filming of "The Fate of the Furious" in 2016, he went to lead the spin-off, 2019's "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw", with Jason Statham.
In November this year, Diesel expressed his desire to have his former co-star reprising his role for the franchise's swan song. "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," he posted on Instagram.
"Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo," he continued writing, "I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10!" He stressed, "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."
