On November 8, Van Diesel called out to Johnson on social platforms and invited him to return to perform "Fast and Furious 10", which triggered heated discussion among netizens.
Diesel said: "My brother Dwyane, the time has come, the world is waiting for 'Rapid 10'. And you know, my children call you Uncle Dwayne at home and send you blessings every holiday. Now that the time is ripe, I told you a few years ago that I would deliver on my promise to Paul Walker, and I vowed that we would make the best work in the last and tenth part. I say it's all out of love, but you have to show up, don't waste this series, you have a very important role to play, and no one else can play Hobbes. I want you to stand up and accomplish your mission."
After the news was announced, netizens talked about it, and everyone said that it was not like an invitation, as if it was an order. At the same time, Diesel used Paul Walker's name to morally kidnap Johnson, leaving Johnson in a dilemma.
So why did Diesel post such an invitation? Diesel said it was to fulfill his promise to Paul Walker, but he could tell from the dismal box office of "Rush 9". Without Johnson's joining, the box office of "Rapid 9" plummeted, earning only 1.392 billion, which is far from "Rapid 7" and "Rapid 8". Although slightly affected by the epidemic, word of mouth has declined sharply. At the same time, although "Rapid 9" has achieved the return of "Han" in terms of selling points, it lacks the old faces of Johnson and Statham, which makes fans disappointed.
Why didn't Johnson star in "Rush 9"? In fact, the rumors of dissension between Diesel and Johnson have been around for a long time.
Contradiction one, playing a big card.
During the production of "Quick Shock 8", Johnson once posted the following message on social platforms: "I have never been so angry about other series of blockbusters... The actresses on the crew are all excellent, and I love them, but the actors on the crew are a different story. Some people act like grandfathers and are very professional, while others are not. Those guys who are not grandfathers and not professional enough are simply cowards, and they can't do anything. ”
Although the article does not name names, netizens and the media can also spy on one or two. According to the crew, "Johnson was very dissatisfied with Diesel's professional ethics. Diesel was accused of playing big names, and he often had to wait 30 minutes for other actors to arrive before getting out of the motorhome."
In fact, Diesel is not only the star of "Rapid Shock", but also a producer. He didn't like to get up early, so he changed the stills call time from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. At the same time, Diesel often pointed fingers at the acting skills of actors, including Johnson. This angered him.
Diesel did not respond directly to Johnson's accusations, saying that we had a good relationship and "brotherhood ... All of this is too complicated."
And on the eve of the release of "Rush 9", Diesel said that it was a "strict and tough love" for Johnson. In response to this statement, Johnson said: "When I read this sentence, like everyone else, I laughed to death, I laughed so loudly!" ”
In fact, Diesel is 5 years older than Johnson, the former debuted in 99, the latter debuted in 2001, and the acting skills and reputation of the two are on par. In 2020, Forbes released the list of "the world's highest-paid male actors", Johnson ranked first with $87.5 million, and Diesel ranked fifth. Diesel pointed out Johnson's acting skills, and I think he himself must have expressed his dissatisfaction. "One mountain does not tolerate two tigers" This is the law of survival, but also the law of nature.
Contradiction two, differences of opinion
After Paul Walker's death, Johnson and Diesel had a big disagreement about whether to continue the "Rapid" series, and Diesel always used Paul's name to promote the film for profit, which made Johnson very dissatisfied. So the two parted ways.
Johnson once stressed that "anyway I'm not involved with the rest of their Quick Shock series".
Although Diesel and Johnson are at odds, their love for "Rapid" has not diminished. Diesel continued to work on the "Rapid" series with Michelle Rodriguez, Teres Gibson and other stars. Johnson and Jason Statham created the "Fast and Furious: Special Ops" spin-off.
So can Johnson return to the Fast and Furious series? At present, the parties have not responded. However, I feel that Diesel's invitation is actually a warm-up promotion of "Rapid 10", whether Johnson can return or not, the film has not been broadcast first. Whether Johnson returns has become the biggest selling point of "Rapid 10", and I have to admit that Diesel is very smart.
As far as fans are concerned, Johnson's return and the reunion of the "Flying Car Family" family is of course something we all like to see. I will always believe in the saying "there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests". Let's look forward to "Rapid Shock 10" and wait for the answer to arrive!