Dwayne Johnson Appears in "Fast X" Despite Years-Long Feud With Vin Diesel

Diesel and Johnson's feud all started when the latter slammed his male "Fast 8" costars in a since-deleted Instagram post. While he didn't name anyone directly, he did refer to them as "candy asses." His post read as follows:

"This is my final week of shooting #FastAndFurious8. There's no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one. An incredible hard-working crew. UNIVERSAL has been great partners as well. My female costars are always amazing and I love 'em. My male costars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don't. The ones that don't are too chicken sh*t to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I'm not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you're right.

Bottom line is it'll play great for the movie and fits this Hobbs character that's embedded in my DNA extremely well. The producer in me is happy about this part. Final week on FAST 8 and I'll finish strong.#IcemanCometh #F8 #ZeroToleranceForCandyAsses."

According to People, the "candy ass" that Johnson was reportedly referring to was his costar Diesel. "Tension has been building up for months," a source told the publication. "Vin has been having problems with The Rock because The Rock keeps showing up late for production. Sometimes he doesn't show up at all and he's delaying the production."

However, Page Six claimed that Diesel's "diva behaviour was to blame." "Vin and Dwayne have been butting heads through the production of 'Fast 8,'" an insider revealed. "Vin has a reputation for being difficult — he shows up late, keeps people waiting, holds up production, and is disrespectful to people on the set. Dwayne lost his patience with him."

Following months of rumours about their feud, Johnson admitted that he had no regrets about his now-infamous Instagram rant. "I was very clear with what I said," Johnson stated in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "I've been in the game a long time. Would Universal [Pictures] have preferred that didn't happen? Sure, we talked about it. The irony is after that as they do their tracking and all their analysis, the interest shot through the roof to a whole other level."

Diesel insisted everything was good between him and Johnson during an interview with USA Today. "I don't think the world realises how close we are in a weird way," Diesel said. "I think some things may be blown out of proportion. I don't think that was his intention. I know he appreciates how much I work this franchise. In my house, he's Uncle Dwayne."

Diesel also said that he protects everyone in the cast as a producer. "I protect the franchise. I protect everybody, including Dwayne," he added. "I protected Dwayne more than he'll ever know and it doesn't matter. He doesn't have to know, but he appreciates it. He knows it. Dwayne has only got one Vin in his life. Dwayne Johnson only has one big brother in this film world and that's me."

Diesel even seemingly confirmed their feud was over. "I'm always rooting for Dwayne," he said. "I'm the first multicultural megastar in Hollywood. They didn't exist. To see another multicultural star come up is something I am very proud of. I'm always rooting Dwayne on."

Years after their feud began, Diesel shared an impassioned Instagram post asking Johnson to come back to the Fast & Furious franchise.

"My little brother Dwayne . . . the time has come," he wrote. "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."

He continued, "I told you years ago that I was going to fulfil 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 fulfil your destiny."

A month after Diesel's post, Johnson said there was no chance he'd come back to the franchise. "I told [Diesel] directly that I would not be returning to the franchise," he told CNN. "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. 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 Paul Walker's death. Leave them out of it. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding."

Despite what he said in 2021, Johnson rejoined the Fast & Furious franchise after all following his appearance as Agent Luke Hobbs in the post-credits scene for "Fast X." However, only time will tell if he and Diesel have managed to iron out their beef once and for all.