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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has confirmed that he will no longer be returning to the Fast & Furious saga.
The actor’s confirmation comes as shock after Vin Diesel shared an open invite, asking him to return to his role as Luke Hobbs for the 10th and final installment of the Fast & Furious franchise.
Vin posted the invite on his Instagram account back in November (2021), but only now has Dwayne responded to the public plea.
Dwayne shared that he was "surprised" by Vin's post as they reportedly, not too long ago, had private discussions that confirmed he wouldn't be returning.
"I was very surprised by Vin's recent post," he said in an interview with 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," he added.
"I privately spoke with my partners at Universal as well, all of whom were very supportive as they understand the problem."
Image via Geo News
The actor went on to accuse Vin of "manipulation" for using both his children and Paul Walker's death in an attempt to change his mind.
"Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation," The Rock 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."
"My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible Fast & Furious franchise with gratitude and grace," he went on.
"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."
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Dwayne’s feud with Vinl is said to have started back in 2016 when The Rock appeared to call out his co-star in a savage Instagram post, which has been deleted.
"My female co-stars are always amazing and I love 'em. My male co-stars however are a different story," he wrote on his last day of filming The Fate of the Furious in the deleted post.
"Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don't. The ones that don't are too chicken to do anything about it anyway."
"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." the actor added.
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The Instagram post apparently had led to a private meeting between Dwayne and Vin where they clarified where they stood with each other.
"I wouldn't call it a peaceful meeting. I would call it a meeting of clarity," Johnson told Vanity Fair.
"He and I had a good chat in my trailer, and it was out of that chat that it really became just crystal clear that we are two separate ends of the spectrum. And agreed to leave it there."
Tensions appeared to have continued between the two actors when Vin made the public post, asking Dwayne to return to his role as Luke Hobbs in the final installment of Fast & Furious.
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Though we would have loved to see Dwayne back in the Fast saga, the actor’s response has us accepting that Hobbs will not make his appearance again… But we can hope, right?
Fast & Furious 10 is set to be released in cinemas on May 19, 2023.
What are your thoughts on the feud? Do you want Dwayne back in the Fast saga?
Info via BuzzFeed