Fast & Furious star and producer Vin Diesel wants Dwayne Johnson to return to the series. Diesel made the appeal to Johnson, who plays FBI agent Hobbs in the franchise, on Instagram.
Diesel and Johnson have had something of a troubled working relationship since the pair fell out during the production of The Fate of the Furious in 2016, and recent comments by Johnson suggested that he wouldn’t be returning to the franchise. However, Diesel clearly wants Johnson back for the tenth two-part Fast & Furious movie, stating “the time has come.”
Diesel wrote, “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 fulfill your destiny.” Check the full post out below:
The feud between Diesel and Johnson became public when Johnson posted to Instagram about the professionalism of the Fate of the Furious crew and his female co-stars while stating some of the men were “candy asses” who didn’t act like “true professionals.” It was subsequently reported that his issues were with Diesel, with Johnson later confirming that they shot very few scenes together. Johnson played Hobbs one more time in the Diesel-free spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, which co-starred Jason Statham.
Earlier this year, Diesel explained that he used “tough love” to help Johnson play Hobbs, and that’s what’s led to the breakdown in their relationship. Johnson responded by stating, “I laughed and I laughed hard. 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.”
The first part of Fast & Furious 10 is scheduled for release in February 2023, with the second part due in 2024. Justin Lin, who has directed five of the previous films, will direct both movies.
