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The Golden Globes 2025 set the stage for an unexpected moment between Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, reigniting discussions about their years-long feud. The brief yet poignant exchange occurred as Diesel presented the award for Cinematic Box Office Achievement. Addressing Johnson, who sat prominently in the audience, Diesel simply remarked, "Hey Dwayne." Johnson, clad in a lilac suit, acknowledged the greeting with a subtle nod, but the atmosphere was noticeably tense.
Their history dates back to the *Fast & Furious* franchise, where Johnson joined in 2011 as Luke Hobbs in Fast Five. The pair's collaboration brought immense success to the series, with the movies grossing over $1 billion globally. However, tensions boiled over during the filming of The Fate of the Furious in 2017, as Johnson posted a now-deleted Instagram rant about unnamed "candy a**es" on set, widely speculated to be aimed at Diesel.
This discord led to Johnson's absence from subsequent mainline films and the launch of his spinoff, Hobbs & Shaw (2019). Despite their public disagreements, efforts at reconciliation were made. In 2023, Johnson announced his return to the franchise, tweeting, "Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us. We'll lead with brotherhood and resolve."
Yet, the Golden Globes moment suggested lingering friction. Fans quickly took to social media to comment on the interaction. One user noted, "You could cut the tension between The Rock and Vin Diesel with a knife," while another quipped, "Vin Diesel better stop playing with The Rock. After this last Fast movie, it's over for dude."
Despite the awkwardness, both actors have expressed a commitment to the franchise's legacy. Diesel's speech emphasized the importance of unity in cinema, while Johnson, in past statements, highlighted his respect for the series' global fanbase. According to a report by Variety, the Fast & Furious franchise has contributed over $7 billion to Universal Studios' revenue, making it one of the biggest blockbusters of all time.
Reflecting on this high-profile feud, the industry remains divided on its impact. Film historian Dr. Emily Carter observed, "Hollywood thrives on collaboration, but rivalries like this remind us of the egos at play behind the scenes."
As Diesel and Johnson gear up for their final collaboration in Fast X: Part II, their Golden Globes encounter serves as a reminder of the challenges—and rewards—of maintaining unity in a franchise beloved by millions. Whether this reconciliation holds or not, their shared legacy in Fast & Furious is undeniably great.
