Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Accuses Vin Diesel of ‘Manipulation’ After ‘Fast & Furious’ Post
“I didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post as well as Paul Walker’s death,” Johnson said.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is blasting his former co-star Vin Diesel of “manipulation” for taking to social media to request he return to the Fast & Furious franchise.
Johnson, who has said in the past he would not return to the high-octane series as Luke Hobbs, told CNN in a new interview that he was “surprised” by Diesel’s November social media post because they already had privately discussed Johnson’s permanent departure.
“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,” Johnson, 49, said.
“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.”
The Rock, who has moved on to star in the spinoff film Hobbs & Shaw with Jason Statham, blasted Diesel, 54, for referencing Diesel’s children and their late co-star Paul Walker in an apparent bid to coax Johnson back into the role for the final installment, Fast 10.
“Vin’s recent public 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 explained.
“Leave them out of it. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding.”
Page Six points out that the two musclebound former co-stars have been bumping their bald heads for years.
Despite Diesel’s “manipulation,” Johnson made it clear he would not appear in the final chapter of the “Fast” franchise given the very public feuds involving Diesel and Tyrese Gibson that began during the final weeks of production for “Fate of the Furious” in 2016 when Johnson excoriated his unnamed male co-stars in a now-deleted Facebook post.
“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,” Johnson shared.
“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.”
In the former “XXX” star’s post, Diesel begged “little brother” Johnson to return for the final movie to publicly bury the hatchet and allegedly fulfill his promise to Walker (whom he called “Pablo”) to end the series on a high note.
Diesel has yet to respond to The Rock’s latest salvo.
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