Vin Diesel Praises Dwayne Johnson Partnership After Feud Resolution

Vin Diesel has publicly commended Dwayne Johnson for their past collaboration and his latest performance, marking the end of a long-simmering dispute that began on the set of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise. In an Instagram post on November 25, 2025, Diesel shared a throwback photo of the two actors and reflected on their dynamic as a rare gift in his career. He highlighted Johnson’s embodiment of the character Luke Hobbs, crediting it with creating one of cinema’s most memorable pairings.

The feud between Diesel and Johnson erupted publicly in August 2016 during production of ‘The Fate of the Furious’. Johnson posted on Instagram about working with a “chicken shit” and “candy ass” co-star, a comment widely understood to reference Diesel’s on-set behavior and delays caused by family obligations. Diesel later addressed the tension in a 2021 Men’s Health interview, describing his approach as “tough love” to elevate performances amid the pressures of maintaining Hobbs’ imposing presence.

Johnson’s Hobbs debuted in ‘Fast Five’ in 2011, transforming from antagonist to ally and anchoring spin-offs like ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ in 2019. The character’s arc spanned nine mainline films by ‘Fast X’ in 2023, generating over $7 billion in global box office for the franchise. Diesel noted in his post that Johnson “stepped into Hobbs” with full commitment, leaving “an indelible mark on Universal’s character hall of fame.”

Reconciliation efforts surfaced in 2021 when Diesel invited Johnson to return for ‘Fast X’ via a private message, emphasizing family themes central to the series. Johnson initially declined in November 2021, stating he would not reprise the role to avoid returning to “toxic” dynamics. By May 2023, however, he filmed a post-credits cameo as Hobbs in ‘Fast X’, teasing a standalone sequel directed by David Leitch.

Their detente solidified at the 2025 Golden Globes on January 5, 2025, where Diesel called out “Hey, Dwayne” during a presentation for ‘Wicked’s cinematic achievement award, drawing laughs from the audience. Johnson responded positively on Twitter, affirming they had “put all the past behind us” the previous summer and committed to brotherhood for the fans.

Diesel’s recent praise extends to Johnson’s starring role in ‘The Smashing Machine’, a biographical drama set for release on October 3, 2025, via A24. Directed by Benny Safdie, the film portrays MMA fighter Mark Kerr’s rise and struggles with addiction in the early 2000s. Diesel, who met Kerr early in his career and trained with him for ‘xXx’ in 2002, wrote that Johnson “brought us back in time and shined doing it.”

The post quotes a fan named Jan as inspiration, with Diesel recalling her words about their pairing pushing boundaries: “Two strong personalities who pushed each other and created something unforgettable.” Johnson has not yet publicly responded to the Instagram tribute as of November 26, 2025.

Looking ahead, both actors are attached to the potential eleventh ‘Fast and Furious’ installment, though production details remain unconfirmed following the 2023 strike delays. Universal Pictures has not announced a timeline, but the reconciliation signals stability for the billion-dollar IP. Diesel’s message underscores the franchise’s core ethos of family, even off-screen.

This development arrives amid Johnson’s busy slate, including ‘Moana 2’ voice work released November 27, 2024, and ‘The Smashing Machine’ awards buzz. Diesel, meanwhile, stars in ‘Riddick: Furya’, slated for 2026. Their renewed rapport could influence casting decisions for future Hobbs crossovers.