Vin Diesel it seems, is out to get Dwayne Johnson to return to the Fast & Furious movie franchise by any means necessary. But it would seem the latter has wised up to Toretto’s antics going Luke Hobbs’ response to joining forces again onscreen for the final Fast & Furious movie.
According to USA Today, in an interview with CNN, published Wednesday, the Jungle Cruise star, 49, was asked about an open Instagram letter directed to him from Diesel, in which the 54-year-old cajoled Johnson to rejoin the franchise for part 1 of the finale due out in 2023.
The paper recalled the well-documented tension two actors have had that boiled over while making 2017’s The Fate of the Furious and that has deprived fans of Johnson’s Luke Hobbs in the main franchise ever since.
“I was very surprised by Vin’s recent post,” Johnson told CNN. “This past June, when Vin and I actually connected not over social media, I told him directly – and privately – that I would not be returning to the franchise. 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.”
But Johnson added that Diesel’s November 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,” Johnson continued. “Leave them out of it. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding. My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise with gratitude and grace.”
Though Johnson said it’s “unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters,” he is still “confident in the ‘Fast’ universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience.”
“I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter,” he added.
