John Cena Reflects on Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel's Clash: 'Two Powerhouses in Action'

John Cena Weighs In on Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel s Alpha Driven Feud

John Cena Weighs, Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel. Getty Images (3)

John Cena recently commented on the tension between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel when he joined the Fast & Furious franchise.

During an episode of Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast on Monday, April 8, Cena, 46, acknowledged the rumors surrounding Johnson and Diesel's relationship.

He mentioned, "There’s certainly rumors about that, I can’t deny that. You have two very alpha, driven people. You get two, there can only be one."

Cena joined the Fast family for F9 in 2021, taking on the role of Jakob Toretto after Johnson's unexpected exit from the franchise. There were rumors of a feud between Johnson and Diesel, but Cena focused on adapting to the situation on set.

Upon his arrival, Cena felt like he was being welcomed into someone's home and family. He emphasized the importance of showing respect for the Fast and Furious franchise, which has nine installments and is known for its action-packed movies. Cena recognized the significance of being part of such a successful and long-running series.

The actor mentioned that he understood he was a "guest" entering a popular movie series and aimed to support the success of the films without causing any trouble.

He stated, "I'm not looking to cause any problems, that's not my style. I appreciate the opportunities I've been given. My goal is simply to do my best in my role."

Diesel has been playing the role of Dominic Toretto since the first Fast & Furious movie came out in 2001. Johnson, who is 51 years old, joined the cast almost ten years later in Fast Five, which was released in 2011. They collaborated on Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, and The Fate of the Furious, initially appearing to have a good relationship.

Speculations about a possible disagreement started circulating in August 2016 when Johnson posted a vague message on Instagram, suggesting some tension with a fellow cast member while filming The Fate of the Furious, which premiered in 2017.

"Some people behave like stand-up individuals and true professionals, while others do not," Johnson wrote in a post that has since been deleted. "The ones who do not are too afraid to confront the issue. Cowards. When you watch this movie next April and notice that I seem genuinely angry in some scenes - you're correct."

Johnson continued to stir the pot with another message. "Every family has disagreements and differing core beliefs," he stated. "For me, conflict can lead to positive outcomes, as long as it is followed by a resolution. I grew up with healthy conflict and embrace it. Just like any family, we become stronger through it."

Many fans thought the post was about Diesel, but the actors kept working together. However, people noticed they had less screen time together in The Fate of the Furious. In 2021, Johnson announced he would not be coming back to the franchise.

Johnson later said he wished he hadn't posted the mysterious message, but he stood by his words.

He expressed regret over sharing personal information, stating that it goes against his nature. He mentioned in an interview with Vanity Fair in October 2021 that he prefers to keep such matters private and away from the public eye. This led him to acknowledge that it was not his finest moment.

After Johnson left, Diesel publicly expressed his desire to have him back in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, this gesture did not sit well with Johnson.

In December 2021, Johnson revealed to CNN that he had informed Vin Diesel in June about his decision not to return to the franchise. He made it clear in a direct and private conversation that he would not be coming back. Despite this, he expressed his support for the cast and hoped for the franchise's success. Johnson also had a positive discussion with his partners at Universal who were understanding of his decision.

Two years after declining Diesel's offer, Johnson reluctantly agreed to reprise his role. Fans were surprised in May 2023 when a post-credits cameo in Fast X hinted at his character's return for the final installments.

Director Louis Leterrier shared with The Hollywood Reporter that the peace treaty was kind of brokered by him and everyone involved in the movie. He mentioned that they all came together after the movie was released. Leterrier recalled how they had a moment of mutual agreement to work together a few months before. He presented his idea to the producers and the studio, who then reached out to Dwayne and his team. They invited Dwayne to watch the movie first and only if he loved it, they could proceed. Luckily, Dwayne enjoyed the movie and they began discussions, which went very smoothly.

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the highly publicized tension between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel, two prominent figures in the Fast & Furious franchise. John Cena's insights as a newcomer to the series shed light on the dynamics within the cast. Cena's respectful approach and focus on supporting the franchise's success highlight the importance of maintaining professionalism and harmony on set.

The article also delves into the complexities of the Johnson-Diesel feud. Johnson's initial cryptic social media posts hinted at underlying issues, but his subsequent decision to leave the franchise and Diesel's public plea for his return suggest a more nuanced situation. The eventual resolution, brokered by director Louis Leterrier, serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and mutual understanding in resolving conflicts.