Oh my gosh, are we really talking about Fast & Furious 10 already? I feel like we’re still in the thick of F9. But I guess they put “fast” in the title for a reason. And “furious,” for that matter, since the franchise has given rise to a five-year feud between Vin Diesel and Dwayne The Rock Johnson. We still don’t totally know what happened, although it’s likely that Vin acted superior on set and DJ called him out. Words were exchanged – probably both publicly and heatedly. However, both sides claim all has been fixed. Not forgiven, necessarily, but fixed, which I think translates to “Universal offered us enough money to work together.” Although, they didn’t actually film together. Anyway, now that Fast 10 is being discussed, Vin is reaching out to DJ to get him to make it. And by reaching out, I mean attempting a public guilt trip. Vin posted the throwback shot above to accompany an open letter to get The Rock to come play. Because DJ = $$$. Sorry – I mean, family and all that.
My little brother Dwayne… the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10. As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don’t send well wishes… but the time has come. Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10! 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.
Oh, DJ will love this passive aggressive bs. And one of the reasons we love Dj is because he doesn’t usually let things like this slide. He’ll respond. Until then, we’ll have to read between the lines. I assume this open letter was written because an actual attempt to contact DJ was made and rebuffed. I understand, the man is making every movie out there. So this is Vin’s way to lure him back? And more importantly, does he really think this is going to work? I would think if DJ was on the fence, this would firmly push him into the Hell No side of the yard. He doesn’t seem like a person who appreciates being told what he is obligated to do, especially with his career. I apologize, I don’t follow this franchise, but could they make Fast 10 without Hobbs? Even without much FF knowledge, I agree it would be foolhardy to recast him. I know I tend to fan over DJ, but I really don’t think he would leave an entire cast in the lurch if they could not proceed without him. Of course, if Vin is that much of an a-hole, he may have no choice. As for the whole ‘destiny’ part of Vin’s plea, I might have to side with him on this one minor point. But only because I would far prefer that Hobbs is DJ’s destiny than him running for president.
“I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo.” I was skimming through IMDb and I can’t find a ‘Pablo’ character, actor, director or writer. I hope I’m wrong, but does Pablo refer to the late Paul Walker? I really don’t want to think Vin is invoking his name in this stupid feud with DJ, especially as emotional blackmail to get him to make the 10th installment of a franchise. That would really muddy the good feelings I had about Vin walking Paul’s daughter down the aisle.
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DJ wasnt in the last one ,I am guessing because of the spin off he did with Stratham. But this is F& F ,they went to Space in the last one so anything is possible.
they can absolutely do it without him, and honestly, as much as i love the rock, im not sure the movies with him were as good as the ones without – i would love to see a return to the early 00s roots of the franchise where the stakes aren’t so stupid high (space??? robo-villains??) that they don’t matter anymore
The whole tone of the Fast and Furious changed when Dwayne Johnson entered the franchise, and it was not for the better. I was glad the peanut on steroids was not in F-9. Get back to its root of family. That is what made the franchise work. Hobbs and Shaw was not a major blockbuster. That should tell the producers something. Team Fast and Furious without the Rock!
I’m sorry – they went to SPACE in the last one???? hahahahahaha – now I need to watch it.
@Elizabeth yes they did !!! Lol,i get this is not suppose to be Schindlers List but it was beyond ridiculous. I think they will be racing submarines next.
They don’t need the rock’s character but I suspect they’re getting every feature actor into 10 to try and round off the entire series on a high. I suspect the studio even asked vin to reach out personally if DJ is the last holdout of key characters that have appeared over the series. I suspect VD would be quite pleased NOT to have the rock return, but the studio would not.
wouldn’t it be funny if this was Vin’s way of “asking” to ensure the Rock doesn’t return? cause i agree – this would push me hard into hell no territory. i don’t think he’s that self-aware but it would be a 3d chess move if he was.
This has been a fake feud for ages. It’s marketing PR. A lot of fans will find it fun.
is it entirely fake? i wouldn’t be surprised if there is a kernel of real tension (because vin is such a maudlin dude and leans so hard into his “head of the fast family” role) but the rock isn’t about to be fussed and gladly makes pr lemonade from that
the reason i think there is some actual tension there is because the rock is so quick to laugh this off – he’s a former wrestler – if he wanted to hype a beef, we’d get a BEEF
There might be a kernel. But not a big enough kernel to have kept them from making large coin from the franchise and it’s spin-offs. Laying the ground for a “reunion” is golden and well thought out.
There were anonymously-sourced references to this in trade magazines long before gossip websites picked this up. And a couple of the industry-connected comedian-run podcasts (I think “How Did this Get Made?” was one) also referenced the mutual dislike around that time, too. And it’s not that hard to believe that two “I’m so ALPHA” guys would hate each other.
So no, I don’t think it’s purely or even mostly PR. Not everything is a grand PR plan.
People are turning into gossip QAnon, be careful.
great points – and yeah sometimes people just don’t vibe and relationships are strained and that makes for way better gossip than any conspiracies imo
Pablo is indeed a nickname for paul walker, and yeah, it’s weird to make this into some destiny deathbed wish of a man who never even worked with the Rock as far as we know
They worked together in 2 or 3 ff movies before Walker’s death.
Dude totally invoked the name of Paul “Pablo” Walker. 😬
After the success of Hobbs & Shaw, it’s clear DJ doesn’t need that franchise. I agree with the assessment of that his private pleas didn’t go anywhere and he has resorted to this in attempt to probably embarrass DJ into speaking to him. They clearly need him more than DJ needs them.
Wow. That’s so cringey.
Pablo is a Nick name for Paul- we refer to my brother Paul as Pablo
Cringe
The thing that really pushes this letter over the edge in ensuring that DJ will never do FF10: calling him “little brother.” Vin might be a few years older but he needs a few apple boxes to go toe to toe with DJ, so Vin is using the age card to stay as top dog. Ridiculous. I hope they keep the feud up for the next 10 years.
I love the FF movies and the ones with DJ are personal favorites. I also love Hobbs and Shaw. I’m absolutely happy to just see more H&S movies.
There was beef with Tyrese too, so I doubt DJ will return.
Vin shouldn’t have. The Rock was not a team player and caused problems on set. They do not need him whatsoever.