Is the feud between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson over? Diesel sparked huge attention at the 2025 Golden Globes as he publicly addressed his long-standing feud with Dwayne Johnson ahead of presenting cinematic and box office achievement awards. The Fast & Furious star did not add much in his address to his former rival and fellow actor but fans could immediately recall the past tensions between the two.
Vin Diesel surprisingly gave a shout-out to Dwayne Johnson at the Golden Globes
Vin Diesel. Image Credit: Universal Pictures.
The 2025 was interesting for many reasons but Vin Diesel’s quick shout-out to his former rival co-star Dwayne Johnson surprised many fans. As Vin Diesel took the stage to present the award for cinematic and box office achievement to Wicked, he paused at the start of his speech to call out, “Hey, Dwayne.” The camera quickly captured Dwayne Johnson’s awkward smile from the audience. The incident quickly prompted laughter from the crowd, who were well aware of the beefy history between the two The Fast & Furious stars.
Vin Diesel to Dwayne Johnson: "Hey, Dwayne." #GoldenGlobes https://t.co/QUzDz2Lepj pic.twitter.com/0zPIlEUv6m
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
Obviously, the feud was over as Johnson, who played Hobbs in the franchise, made his return in Fast X in 2023 in a mid-credit scene. The actor also hinted on X that they had adjusted the bad air between the two. Additionally, the wrestler-turned-actor shared that he will make his big return in the upcoming Fast X Part 2 of the franchise despite previously asserting in November 2021 that he would not return to the franchise.
At the Golden Globes, Johnson has certainly responded to Diesel’s shout-out with a smile hinting that the actors are ready to work together again in the franchise.
A brief history of Vin Diesel vs. Dwayne Johnson
Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Image via: Universal Pictures
The feud between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson first made headlines in August 2016 when Johnson posted a now-infamous Instagram rant, blasting an unnamed co-star as a “chicken shit” and a “candy ass.” It didn’t take long for fans to piece together that his comments were aimed at Diesel. Years later, Diesel shed some light on the fallout during a 2021 interview with Men’s Health, claiming his “tough love” approach on set—intended to push Johnson to deliver a stronger performance—had caused the tension. What started as a behind-the-scenes clash soon spiraled into a public drama, leaving fans and industry insiders wondering if the two action stars could ever reconcile their backstage feud.
“It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character. 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, ‘Okay, 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,’” Diesel said (via Variety).
Explaining the fallout between them, the 57-year-old action star further shared that his sole interest was to bring the best out of The Rock. “Hobbs hits you like a ton of bricks. That’s something that I’m proud of, that aesthetic. 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,” he added.
“Daddy’s gotta go to work”: The Return of Dwayne Johnson in the Fast & Furious Franchise
Dwayne Johnson. Image Credit: Universal Pictures
In June 2023, Johnson took to social media to share that he will be returning to the Fast & Furious franchise as Hobbs reprising his role. In a four-minute self-shot video from Hawaii, he explained his return alongside a lengthy caption. “HOBBS IS BACK,” he wrote on X.
“Luke Hobbs will be returning to the Fast & Furious franchise. Your reactions around the world to Hobbs’ return in Fast X have blown us away,” Johnson added.
The 52-year-old also shared that fans will see Hobbs in a fresh perspective, “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.”
Hope you’ve got your funderwear on…
HOBBS IS BACK.
And he just got lei’d 🌺😈Luke Hobbs will be returning to the Fast & Furious franchise.
Your reactions around the world to Hobbs’ return in Fast X have blown us away 🤯🙏🏾🌍
The next Fast & Furious film you’ll see the… pic.twitter.com/vvtBgTBOnl
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 1, 2023
Further, he continued addressing his infamous feud with Diesel. “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,” the Red One actor wrote. “Daddy’s gotta go to work,” he added.Regardless, the feud is over and the fans will see both the stars again on the big screen in the Louis Leterrier-directed movie.
Fast X: Part 2 is slated for 2026 release.
