Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer 

Despite their disputes, Vin Diesel publicly begged Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to return to the “Fast & Furious” franchise according to US magazine.

On November 7, Diesel, who plays Dom Toretto in the movie, posted to Instagram a photo of him and Johnson with the caption, “My little brother Dwayne… the time has come….The world awaits  the conclusion of Fast & Furious 10.”

According to Diesel, Johnson’s character Hobbs is set to have a  significant role in the tenth picture. However, Johnson stated earlier this year that his time as Hobbs is done. “I’ve wished them well,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter in July. “I wish them well on Fast 9. And I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me.”

Diesel shared that he wants to persuade Johnson to rethink his views. “I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill 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.”

Diesel continued to say that he didn’t want Johnson’s role to be replaced. “There’s no one else who can portray Hobbs. I hope you rise to the occasion and realize your destiny.”

The feud between The Rock and Diesel began in 2016, when Johnson spoke out about on-set dysfunction without identifying names. 

“Some [male co-stars] conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” Johnson wrote via an Instagram post in August 2016. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s—t to do anything about it anyway… 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.”

Their battle seemed to be winding down until Diesel stated he had to employ “tough love” to get Johnson’s performance to the level he required. According to Men’s Health in June, Diesel said “We had to get there and sometimes, at that time, I could give a lot of tough love. Not Fellini-esque, but I would do anything I’d have to do in order to get performances in anything I’m producing.” 

The Fellini remark appears to have reignited the feud, as several jobs have been created in the last year. Johnson later stated that he regretted writing the post that sparked the public debate.

“F9: The Fast Saga” was one of the few bright spots for a regrowing theatrical business over the summer. The Universal film earned $721 million worldwide.

The next installment of the Fast and Furious franchise is set to release on April 7, 2023, starring Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, and Michelle Rodriguez Justin Lin, the director of “F9” and a regular series director, will also return for the sequel.