5 Shocking Twists In The Dwayne Johnson And Vin Diesel Feud: From ‘Candy Ass’ To The Golden Globes 2025 Reunion

The long-running, highly publicized feud between Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Vin Diesel is one of Hollywood's most enduring and fascinating rivalries, blending real-life ego clashes with the fictional brotherhood of the *Fast & Furious* franchise. As of late 2024 and early 2025, a stunning series of events has completely reshaped the narrative, moving the two action titans from public hostility to an uneasy, yet profitable, détente that ensures the future of the multi-billion dollar franchise. The latest developments, including an awkward reunion at the 2025 Golden Globes and Johnson's official return to the main *Fast Saga*, prove that in the world of blockbuster cinema, business ultimately triumphs over personal animosity. The following is a deep dive into the five major twists that define the current, complex relationship between Luke Hobbs and Dominic Toretto.

The Titans: Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel Biography & Profile

To understand the clash, one must first appreciate the towering careers and personalities involved. Both men are producers, actors, and cultural icons whose professional lives are defined by their immense control over their respective projects, which inevitably led to an on-set conflict.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Luke Hobbs)

• Full Name: Dwayne Douglas Johnson
• Born: May 2, 1972, Hayward, California, U.S.
• Key Career Milestones: A former college football player for the University of Miami, Johnson rose to global fame as a professional wrestler in WWE under the ring name "The Rock." He is a multi-time WWE Champion and successfully transitioned to acting, becoming one of the world's highest-paid actors. He joined the *Fast Saga* in 2011’s *Fast Five*.
• Key Entities: WWE, University of Miami, *The Scorpion King*, Seven Bucks Productions, *Jumanji*, *Black Adam*.

Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto)

• Full Name: Mark Sinclair Vincent
• Born: July 18, 1967, Alameda County, California, U.S.
• Key Career Milestones: An actor, filmmaker, and producer, Diesel began his career with roles in films like *Saving Private Ryan* and the voice of the title character in *The Iron Giant*. He is best known for his role as Dominic Toretto, the patriarch of the *Fast & Furious* family, a role he has played since 2001, and is a principal producer on the franchise.
• Key Entities: One Race Films, *The Fast and the Furious*, *The Chronicles of Riddick*, *xXx*, twin brother Paul Vincent.

1. The Infamous ‘Candy Ass’ Post: The Feud Goes Public (2016)

The conflict between the two actors, which had reportedly been simmering behind the scenes during the filming of *The Fate of the Furious* (*Fast 8*), exploded into the public domain in August 2016. Dwayne Johnson posted an impassioned message on Instagram that quickly became legendary.

In the post, Johnson praised his female co-stars but criticized some of his male colleagues, stating, "My female co-stars are always amazing and I love 'em. My male co-stars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don’t. The ones that don’t are too chicken sh*t to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses."

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While he didn't name Vin Diesel, the context and subsequent media reports confirmed that the comment was directed at the star and producer. The core issue reportedly revolved around professionalism, with Johnson taking issue with Diesel's behavior, including what he perceived as tardiness and an excessive level of producer control over the set and script.

2. The Professional Split: Hobbs & Shaw vs. The Main Saga

Following the public fallout, the two stars were successfully kept apart for the promotional tour of *The Fate of the Furious* and did not share any scenes together in the film's climax. The professional solution to the conflict was to give Johnson his own spin-off, *Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw* (2019), co-starring Jason Statham. This move created a separate, successful branch of the franchise, allowing Johnson to continue his role as Luke Hobbs without having to interact with Diesel's Dominic Toretto on set.

For several years, the separation seemed permanent. Johnson firmly stated in interviews that he would not return to the main *Fast Saga*, citing their "fundamentally different philosophies" on filmmaking. Diesel, however, made a public plea on social media in 2021, invoking his children and the late Paul Walker to try and bring "his brother" back for the grand finale, a move Johnson later called "manipulative."

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3. The Surprise Return: Luke Hobbs is Back for Fast 11

The biggest twist in the saga came with the release of *Fast X* in 2023, where Dwayne Johnson made a surprise, uncredited mid-credits cameo, officially signaling his return to the main *Fast Saga*. This was not just a one-off appearance; Johnson confirmed that he and Vin Diesel had buried the hatchet and reached a formal agreement.

The new arrangement involves Johnson not only returning to the main franchise but also producing and starring in a brand-new standalone *Hobbs* film. This new movie will serve as a crucial narrative bridge between the events of *Fast X* and the upcoming final installment, currently referred to as *Fast X: Part 2* or *Fast 11*. This move is a testament to the immense box office power of Johnson's character, Luke Hobbs, and the franchise’s need for his presence to deliver the ultimate finale.

Johnson stated that the focus is now entirely on "moving forward, prioritizing the franchise, the fans, and the character of Hobbs."

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4. The Awkward 2025 Golden Globes 'Reunion'

Despite the professional reconciliation, the personal dynamic between the two remains tense, as highlighted by an unexpected public moment at the 2025 Golden Globes. While presenting an award, Vin Diesel made a subtle, yet notable, shoutout to Johnson, who was seated in the audience. The moment was widely described by media outlets and fans as "awkward" and a "cold reunion," suggesting that while the business deal is done, the personal relationship is still far from warm.

The exchange was a clear indicator that the history of their feud, rooted in clashing egos and creative differences, still lingers in the air. The two stars were physically present at the same event, but the interaction underscored the fact that their collaboration is now a strictly professional, high-stakes business partnership, rather than a genuine friendship. This moment became a major talking point, proving that the public is still captivated by their complex dynamic.

5. Vin Diesel’s Public Post-Globes Message

In the immediate aftermath of the Golden Globes moment, Vin Diesel took to social media to address the situation and quell the renewed buzz about the feud. He shared a photo of himself and Dwayne Johnson, accompanied by a message that seemed aimed at shutting down the persistent rumors of animosity.

This public relations move, following the slightly chilly on-camera moment, reinforced the idea that the two actors are committed to presenting a unified front for the sake of the *Fast & Furious* universe. It solidified the current status quo: the feud is officially over for the cameras and the box office, but the professional distance remains. The ultimate goal is delivering the explosive, highly anticipated grand finale that fans have been waiting for, with both Dominic Toretto and Luke Hobbs playing their crucial, high-octane roles.