You know the mantra: “family” in the Fast & Furious universe is everything. But behind the scenes, the relationship between two of its biggest stars, Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has been anything but familial. For years, rumors of a simmering feud between these alpha action heroes have swirled, captivating fans and dominating headlines. It all started in 2016 and has taken more twists and turns than a Tokyo drift. Let’s dive into the timeline of the Vin Diesel And The Rock saga, exploring every jab, reconciliation hint, and public statement in this high-octane Hollywood drama.
Their on-screen partnership ignited in 2011 with Fast Five, where Johnson’s imposing Agent Luke Hobbs was introduced to hunt down Diesel’s Dominic Toretto and his crew. The chemistry was undeniable, adding a new layer of adrenaline to the already successful franchise. Johnson returned for Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7, and everything seemed smooth on the surface. However, in August 2016, the engine started sputtering.
Dwayne Johnson candy asses Instagram post that started feud with Vin Diesel
The Instagram Explosion: “Candy Asses” and Cryptic Posts
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ignited the feud with a now-infamous Instagram post. Without naming names, he called out some of his male Fast 8 costars as “candy asses” and unprofessional. The internet immediately went into overdrive, speculating that the target was Vin Diesel. Adding fuel to the fire, after The Fate of the Furious wrapped, Johnson posted another thank you message, specifically naming Scott Eastwood and Nathalie Emmanuel, but conspicuously omitting Diesel. The message was clear: something was brewing between Vin Diesel and The Rock.
Public Sparring: Veiled Comments and Media Frenzy
The rumors intensified as both actors made cryptic comments in the press. Johnson, in interviews, hinted at on-set tensions and “differing philosophies.” Diesel, for his part, initially downplayed the feud, suggesting the media was blowing things out of proportion and that he and Johnson were closer than people realized. He even referred to Johnson as “Uncle Dwayne” in his family. However, these attempts at reconciliation felt flimsy against the backdrop of Johnson’s very public shade.
Vin Diesel responds to Dwayne Johnson feud rumors after Fate of the Furious filming
Playing it Cool? Publicity Stunt or Real Beef?
Adding another layer of intrigue, Johnson himself suggested in a November 2016 interview that the feud might have inadvertently boosted publicity for The Fate of the Furious. He acknowledged conversations with Universal about the situation and noted that audience interest in the movie had “shot through the roof” after the Instagram drama. Was this all just a cleverly orchestrated publicity stunt to drive up anticipation for the film, or was there genuine animosity between Vin Diesel and The Rock?
Separate Scenes and Lingering Tension
Despite attempts to publicly minimize the conflict, the tension was palpable. Eagle-eyed viewers of The Fate of the Furious noticed that Vin Diesel and The Rock didn’t share any scenes together in the final cut. When directly asked about this in a 2018 interview, Johnson confirmed, “That is correct. We were not in any scenes together.” This cinematic separation spoke volumes, confirming that the rift between Vin Diesel and The Rock was more than just media hype.
Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel not in scenes together in Fate of the Furious
Hints of Peace: Hobbs & Shaw and a Thank You
A potential turning point came with the release of Hobbs & Shaw, Johnson’s Fast & Furious spin-off with Jason Statham. In a surprising move, Johnson publicly thanked Diesel for his support of the spin-off in an Instagram video in September 2019, saying, “Lastly, but not least, want to thank brother Vin for your support of Hobbs & Shaw. I’ll be seeing you soon, Toretto.” This seemed like an olive branch, suggesting that perhaps Vin Diesel and The Rock were moving towards reconciliation.
“Tough Love” and Reignited Flames
However, the peace was short-lived. In a 2021 interview, Diesel reignited the feud conversation by claiming his on-set approach to Johnson was “tough love” to elicit a better performance from him as Hobbs. He stated, “My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be.” These comments were not well-received by Johnson, who publicly laughed off Diesel’s “tough love” explanation, further widening the gap between Vin Diesel and The Rock.
Vin Diesel describes tough love approach to Dwayne Johnson
No Return and Public Rejection
Johnson definitively stated in July 2021 that he would not be returning to the main Fast & Furious franchise after F9. “I’ve wished them well,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. He further addressed Diesel’s “tough love” remarks with open amusement, making it clear that he wasn’t buying into Diesel’s narrative and firmly closing the door on his Fast saga involvement, seemingly ending the era of Vin Diesel and The Rock on screen together.
Regrets, Jokes, and Manipulation Accusations
In a reflective moment in October 2021, Johnson admitted some regret over his initial Instagram outburst, stating it “wasn’t my best day.” However, he stood by the sentiment behind his message and revealed that some Fate of the Furious crew members thanked him for speaking out. Later, Johnson addressed Vin Diesel jokes in his movie Red Notice with good humor, but the feud took another sour turn when Diesel publicly pleaded for Johnson to return to the franchise, invoking family and Paul Walker’s name. Johnson responded sharply, calling Diesel’s public plea “manipulation” and reiterating his firm decision not to return, emphasizing that he had already privately communicated his stance to Vin Diesel and The Rock saga seemed to be reaching a definitive, and negative, conclusion.
Dwayne Johnson calls Vin Diesel's public plea manipulation
The Shocking Comeback: Fast X Post-Credit Scene
In a move that stunned fans, Dwayne Johnson made a surprise post-credits scene appearance in Fast X in May 2023. This unexpected return hinted at a thawing of relations between Vin Diesel and The Rock and opened the door for Hobbs’ return to the franchise’s final chapters. Director Louis Leterrier revealed that the reconciliation was organic, sparked by mutual interest in working together again and Johnson’s positive reaction to Fast X.
Officially Back: Hobbs Returns to the Fast Family
Johnson officially confirmed his full return to the Fast & Furious franchise in June 2023. In an Instagram video, he expressed gratitude for fan reactions and acknowledged his “differences” with Diesel, stating that they were “like brothers” and that bigger plans for the franchise and the fans were their “North Star.” This announcement marked the official end of the public feud and the exciting reunion of Vin Diesel and The Rock within the Fast & Furious universe.
Dwayne Johnson confirms return to Fast and Furious franchise
John Cena’s Take: Alpha Personalities Clashing
Adding an outsider’s perspective, Fast & Furious newcomer John Cena weighed in on the feud in April 2024. Cena attributed the clash to the two actors’ similar “alpha, driven” personalities, suggesting that their strong personalities inevitably led to friction. He highlighted the Fast & Furious franchise as Diesel’s “home” and family, implying that navigating such dynamics with multiple alpha personalities can be challenging.
Golden Globes and “All Love… Always…”
In a surprising and very public display of reconciliation, Vin Diesel acknowledged Dwayne Johnson from the Golden Globes stage in January 2025. Diesel greeted Johnson with “Hey, Dwayne,” as he presented an award, eliciting smiles and laughter from the audience and Johnson himself. Days later, Diesel further solidified the truce by sharing a throwback photo with Johnson from the Fast Five premiere, captioned “All love… Always…” This public exchange signaled that the Vin Diesel and The Rock feud had genuinely cooled down, with both actors seemingly embracing a future of collaboration and mutual respect.
Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson Golden Globes reconciliation
From Feud to Family (Again?): The Future of Vin Diesel and The Rock
The journey of Vin Diesel and The Rock has been a rollercoaster of Hollywood drama, filled with public spats, veiled insults, and eventual reconciliation. What started as on-set tension escalated into a full-blown celebrity feud, captivating audiences worldwide. However, with Johnson’s return to the Fast & Furious franchise and public displays of camaraderie, it appears the beef has been squashed. Whether this newfound peace is lasting remains to be seen, but for now, fans can celebrate the reunion of Hobbs and Toretto and the potential for even more explosive on-screen action from Vin Diesel and The Rock, together again.
