A complete timeline of Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson's rocky history and public feud
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- "Fast & Furious" stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson have a well-documented public feud.
- Johnson made a shocking return to the franchise when he appeared in the end-credits scene of "Fast X."
- The two stars also had an awkward interaction at the 2025 Golden Globes.
The "Fast & Furious" franchise has developed a reputation for being all about family, but costars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson haven't always embodied that kinship.
Johnson, who portrays Luke Hobbs, joined the high-speed franchise in the fifth installment, released in 2011. He appeared in subsequent sequels and even landed his own spin-off film with Jason Statham. But public comments about a behind-the-scenes feud with Diesel, who's been the face of the franchise as Dominic Toretto since the beginning, muddied the waters.
However, they've seemingly put their beef aside for the Fast Fam. In 2023, Johnson made a grand return in the end-credits scene of "Fast X," after Diesel previously asked him "not leave the franchise idle."
The two stars then seemingly acknowledged their bumpy history during a brief moment on Sunday at the 2025 Golden Globes.
Here's a complete timeline of Diesel and Johnson's feud.
Universal Pictures
Widely regarded as one of the best installments in the franchise, Johnson played an agent for an elite force known as the Diplomatic Security Service.
After the deaths of three DEA agents at the start of "Fast Five," Hobbs was hired to bring in Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker).
For most of the movie, Hobbs spent time tracking down Dom and his associates.
At one point, Dom and Johnson's character fought one-on-one. But after Hobbs' team was eliminated, he made a truce with Dom's crew and sided with them.
To avenge his fallen team, Hobbs shot Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) dead and further defied the law by allowing Dom's team to steal Reyes' vault loaded with millions.
Universal Pictures
Hobbs recruited Dom and his crew to help put an end to Owen Shaw's (Luke Evans) globe-trotting, destructive heists.
At the end of the film, after succeeding, Hobbs told Dom, "Til next time" before departing.
Uni
Once again, Hobbs turned to Dom and his team to do whatever was required to take down a villain, played by Jason Statham.
By the end of the movie, Hobbs captured Deckard and escorted him to a heavily guarded solitary cell made of concrete and steel.
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In his since-deleted posts on Facebook and Instagram, Johnson applauded the movie's "incredible hard working crew" and the partners at Universal Studios. But he had some choice words for other people involved.
"My female co-stars are always amazing and I love 'em. My male co-stars however are a different story," he wrote. "Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don't. The ones that don't are too chicken shit to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses."
He continued: "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."
Universal Pictures
"I was very clear with what I said. I've been in the game a long time," Johnson told the LA Times. "Would Universal have preferred that didn't happen? Sure, we talked about it. The irony is after that and as they do their tracking and all their analysis, the interest shot through the roof to a whole other level."
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"I don't think the world really realizes 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."
"I protect the franchise," added the actor, who also serves as producer for the franchise. "I protect everybody including Dwayne. 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," Diesel continued. "Dwayne Johnson only has one big brother in this film world and that's me."
Universal Pictures
Hobbs called on Dom and his associates to intervene when a new threat presented itself.
During their mission, Dom went rogue and helped the antagonist, Cipher (Charlize Theron).
That led to tension between Diesel and Johnson's characters.
But in true "Fast" tradition, Dom's crew celebrated another win with a family BBQ at the end of the movie.
Hobbs' record was cleared and he was offered his old job back, but he declined so he could take a break and spend time with his daughter.
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At the time, Deadline reported that the movie was in the early stages and details were sparse.
Universal Pictures
"If you move forward with that Hobbs movie you will have purposely ignored the heart to heart moment we had in my sprinter," he wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post. "I don't wanna hear from you until you remember what we talked about."
In a follow-up post that was also erased, Gibson, who plays Roman Pierce, said he was unable to reach Johnson.
"He won't call me back about this solo #HobbsMovie," Gibson said. "I want you to shoot it just not right now cause the #Fast9 Date has already been announced and we can't let our loyal fans down on any level."
John Shearer/Invision/AP
The movie was pushed back a year and Gibson pinned the delay on Johnson and his spin-off, "Hobbs & Shaw."
In his Instagram post, Gibson congratulated Johnson and Hiram Garcia, one of Johnson's producing partners, for "making the fast and the furious franchise about YOU."
"Gn folks see you in 2020 April #FastFamily right? Nah..... it's about #TeamDewayne #3yrs will it be worth the wait?" he added.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Diesel posted a photo of him and Johnson in character and wrote, "I know there has been a lot of speculation as to why the Fast 9 release date was pushed... but it would be unfair to say it is anyone's fault."
"As we plot the course to expand the Fast & Furious universe, one must be mindful to take stock of the roads we took to get here," he continued. "The pillars of authenticity, family and most importantly, our loyal fan's perspective has been instrumental in procuring success.
However, like any vehicle that has run around the globe 8 times, the franchise is in need of maintenance."
Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Johnson confirmed to Rolling Stone that he and Diesel's scenes for "The Fate of the Furious" were filmed separately.
"We were not in any scenes together," he said.
Johnson said that he and Diesel disagreed about their approaches to their work.
"Vin and I had a few discussions, including an important face-to-face in my trailer," he said. "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."
Johnson also cast doubt on whether he'd return for the ninth "Fast & Furious" movie. He said that he was "concentrating" on his spin-off with Jason Statham.
"But I wish him all the best, and I harbor no ill will there, just because of the clarity we have," Johnson said of Diesel. "Actually, you can erase that last part about 'no ill will.' We'll just keep it with the clarity."
Universal
The titular characters formed a reluctant, unlikely alliance in order to save Deckard's sister Hattie (Vanessa Kirby) and stop a modified antagonist named Brixton Lore (Idris Elba).
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
"It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character," Diesel told the Men's Health. "My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be. As a producer to say, OK, we're going to take Dwayne Johnson, who's associated with wrestling, and we're going to force this cinematic world, audience members, to regard his character as someone that they don't know — Hobbs hits you like a ton of bricks."
"That's something that I'm proud of, that aesthetic," Diesel added. "That took a lot of work. We had to get there and sometimes, at that time, I could give a lot of tough love. Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I'd have to do in order to get performances in anything I'm producing."
Universal
Even though Hobbs didn't appear in the film, Johnson was busy promoting other films that year.
He starred alongside Emily Blunt in " Jungle Cruise," had a cameo in "Free Guy," and starred in the action film "Red Notice."
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
"I laughed and I laughed hard," Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. "I think everyone had a laugh at that. And I'll leave it at that. And that I've wished them well. 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."
Chris Pizzello/AP
"I shouldn't have shared that," Johnson said in his November 2021 cover story for Vanity Fair. "Because at the end of the day, that goes against my DNA. I don't share things like that. And I take care of that kind of bullshit away from the public. They don't need to know that."
"Nothing specific happened, just the same old shit," he said about why he spoke publicly. "And that just wasn't my best day."
Still, the "Jungle Cruise" star wouldn't take back his words.
"I meant what I said. For sure," Johnson said. "I mean what I say when I say it. But to express it publicly was not the right thing to do."
The actor also said that he agreed to be in "The Fate of the Furious" as long as he and Diesel didn't share any scenes together because he "wanted to forgo drama.
"I thought that that was the best thing to do. For everybody," he said.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
"My little brother Dwayne... the time has come," Diesel wrote in an Instagram post. "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."
"I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo," Diesel continued, referring to late costar Paul Walker. "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," he said. "Hobbs can't be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny."
Chris Pizzello/AP; Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
"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," 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. I privately spoke with my partners at Universal as well, all of whom were very supportive as they understand the problem."
Johnson then accused Diesel of "manipulation."
"Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation," the actor said. "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."
Johnson continued: "My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible 'Fast & Furious' franchise with gratitude and grace. It's unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters."
"Regardless, I'm confident in the 'Fast' universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience, and I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter," he concluded.
Universal Pictures
Jason Momoa joined the franchise as Dante, the son of "Fast Five" antagonist Hernan Reyes and the villain seeking revenge in "Fast X."
In the "Fast X" end-credits scene, over the phone, Dante warned Johnson that he'd face consequences for killing his father.
"You took the most important thing in my life from me," Dante said. "Dom drove the car, but you? You pulled the trigger and now I'm gonna make you suffer."
"Fast X" director Louis Leterrier told The Hollywood Reporter that it was a team effort to get Johnson on board.
"I didn't know Dwayne, personally, but we reached out to Dwayne and Dwayne's team," he explained. "We sort of looked at each other from across the room and winked a few months back, saying, 'We should work together.' And then I had this idea and I presented it to the producers and the studio."
He continued: "And then we reached out to Dwayne and his team and said, 'Just come and watch the movie. You have to love the movie first.' So he came to see the movie and really loved it, and then we started talking."
Diesel also told THR in a separate interview that conversations regarding Johnson and Gal Gadot's return as Gisele "have been going on for a while."
"The conversations are what makes the best movie? What feels right for a franchise? How do you make as many people happy in this world? And both of them clearly make people happy," Diesel said.
Universal Pictures
The movie is intended to be a bridge between "Fast X" and the upcoming second part.
Johnson reacted to the news by sharing a message on X (formerly known as Twitter).
In his post, the actor said that he and Diesel put their history behind them and will "lead with brotherhood and resolve."
"The next Fast & Furious film you'll see the legendary lawman in will be the HOBBS movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for FASTX: Part II," Johnson wrote. "Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us. We'll lead with brotherhood and resolve - and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love. I've built my career on an 'Audience First' mentality and that will always serve as my North Star."
Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Diesel and Johnson both attended the show to present different awards.
Before Diesel presented the cinematic and box office achievement award to "Wicked," he looked over at Johnson in the crowd and said, "Hey, Dwayne." As the crowd laughed, Johnson awkwardly smiled back.