In 2016 people around the world paid great attention to a highly-reported-on feud between FAST AND FURIOUS co-stars Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel. To put it gently, the two didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye on the set of the film, to the point where the two didn’t even work together during their scenes. Though some time has passed, Johnson has now said he is still not sure if he will come back for the ninth installment of the fast-paced franchise.
During a very detailed and illuminating profile on Johnson for Rolling Stone, the massive movie star opened up about the issue between him and Diesel. The actor shed light on what caused their disagreements, ending his comment saying he was “grateful for that clarity,” even if the two never work together again.
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Vin and I had a few discussions, including an important face-to-face in my trailer. And what I came to realize is that we have a fundamental difference in philosophies on how we approach moviemaking and collaborating. It took me some time, but I'm grateful for that clarity. Whether we work together again or not.
That last part obviously strikes a cord for anyone wondering if Johnson would return for FAST 9, and when the interviewer probed deeper on that front, Johnson said he’s “not quite sure” if he will return. He is still very much involved with the upcoming HOBB AND SHAW spinoff movie with himself and Jason Statham, saying he’s focused on making that “as good as it can be.” As for Diesel? He wishes him all the best… even if there is a bit of animosity still there.
But I wish him all the best, and I harbor no ill will there, just because of the clarity we have. [laughs] Actually, you can erase that last part about 'no ill will.' ; We'll just keep it with the clarity.
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Now, the character may not be back for a ninth movie given the events of whatever HOBBS AND SHAW has in store storywise, but Johnson’s presence has had a notable effect on the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise. With his entry into FAST FIVE, he helped launch the series into the renaissance it’s been going through over the last few installments, turning it into an established as a billion-dollar player. Who knows what would happen if he didn’t return to the main series, or if fans would show out in the same kind of force. Right now, HOBBS AND SHAW is set for July 2019 while the ninth and tenth installments of FAST are set for April 2020 and April 2021.
Quite frankly, I would be totally okay if he didn’t come back for FAST 9. I’ve always felt I’d rather watch him in his own spinoff than among the other members of the FAST team, and we’re finally getting that movie soon. Johnson and Statham have made for the best scenes in the recent movies, so why not just focus on what’s best and give audiences nothing but that? I mean, I don't think anyone is dying to see how Hobb's relationship grows with Ludacris' character in future movies.
Johnson can be seen in RAMPAGE on April 13.