From the legendary Schwarzenegger-Stallone from the ’80s to the Vin Diesel-Dwayne Johnson of recent years, Hollywood has been known for some of the most intense feuds between the stars.
Although not all of their root causes are public knowledge, the constant headlines, after the fights came to light, keep the peanut gallery up to date on the behind-the-scenes happenings.
As a result, news of Dwyane Johnson and Vin Diesel beefing during the shooting of their Fast and Furious franchise is not exactly shocking. However, what actually is surprising is the news of Dwayne Johnson returning to the franchise to reprise his role after his public denouncement years ago.
Vin Diesel bringing back Dwayne Johnson for Fast X
After their very public, very messy feud became public which followed Dwyane Johnson’s big departure from the franchise, it seems like Vin Diesel has been trying to bring The Rock back for quite some time.
In a 2021 Instagram post Diesel sort of pleaded with Johnson to end their fight and return to the franchise claiming that he had promised Pablo [his nickname for the late actor Paul Walker] that he would make the best Fast and Furious finale. He urged Johnson, calling him his “little brother”, that “the time has come.” He continued saying,
“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.”
Although The Great One publicly rejected Vin Diesel’s urge at the time calling him “manipulative” and saying he “would never return,” it seems like he had in fact changed his mind. His return though was kept strictly under wraps up until the world premiere of the movie in Rome this week.
Not only his sudden appearance in a post-credit scene shock people completely, but what was even more surprising was Diesel’s announcement that the originally two-part finale of the franchise with Fast X being the first part is actually going to include a part 3.
As Vin Diesel mentioned that the third part is already in the works, it actually makes sense for Dwayne Johnson’s character to be brought back now.
Fast X is the perfect time for Dwayne Johnson to return
The final villain, Jason Momoa’s Dante has direct ties to Dwayne Johnson‘s Luke Hobbs. Essentially, this three-part finale is a direct sequel to Fast Five, where Dom and his family injured and killed off their then enemies, which included Dante’s father. And coincidentally, that was the very movie with which Johnson entered the franchise.
As a result, he would have a big part in defeating Dante is a no-brainer. And with his return, it seems like that theory is confirmed. Although no official statements have been made yet, it seems kind of a given that he would be appearing in full form for the last two movies.
And what better way to mark that return than to show The Brahma Bull himself in the post-credit scene to tease the audience and increase the hype, right?
However, this might not be the end of surprises, as his return is also giving new hope to the people waiting for Hobbs and Shaw 2. As Jason Statham is already a continuing member, and Johnson is returning, that hope does not seem too far-fetched right now.
Fast X is scheduled to release on May 19th, 2023.
Source: The Wrap
