Vin Diesel has openly asked Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to return to the Fast & Furious franchise by burying the hatchet.
Calling Dwayne his little brother, Vin Diesel stated on Instagram that the time has come for him to return to the finale of Fast 10.
Diesel posted a picture of him and Johnson, 49, in the prior film and stated how his children adore the Jungle Cruise star. He has Hania, 13, Vincent, 11, and Pauline, 6, with long-term partner Paloma Jiménez.
“As you are aware, my children call you ‘Uncle Dwayne’ at home. There isn’t a day that goes by that they and you don’t send each other well wishes… but it is now time. The future awaits,” Diesel concluded.
The xXx star said that Johnson’s Hobbs will have a large role in the next installment. The Termana Tequila founder has appeared in three films: 2011’s Fast Five, 2013’s Fast & Furious 6, and 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
Though, Johnson has said that his days as Hobbs are finished.
“I’ve wished them the best of luck,” Johnson said in July to The Hollywood Reporter. “I wish them the very best with Fast 9.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there, but it’s the way it has to be. I’m sure they’ll do an amazing job on Fast 10 and 11, as well as any future Fast & Furious movies that will be released without me.”
In his November 7 post, Diesel plainly states his aim of changing Johnson’s mind.
“I informed you years ago that I intended to keep my promise to Pablo,” says the actor of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
“I’m saying this out of love… but you must come, don’t just sit there and do nothing. You have a really significant role to play in the franchise’s future.”
The animosity between The Rock and Diesel dates back to 2016, when the wrestler spoke about on-set tension without naming people.
“Some [male costars] are true gentlemen and professionals, while others are not,” Johnson stated (and then deleted) via an Instagram caption in August 2016.
“When you see this film again in April, and it looks like I’m not acting in some of them, my blood is boiling – you’re correct.”
Following their rivalry, it appeared to have died down until Diesel claimed he had to use ” stringent love” in order for the previous WWE star’s performance to improve.
“We had to get there, and I’d have to give some tough love at times. It was not as if I was directing Fellini-esque movies, but I would do anything necessary to have good performances in anything I’m working on,” he said in June for Men’s Health.