Vin Diesel’s Surprise Shoutout to Dwayne Johnson at the Golden Globes: A Recap of Their Complicated History

Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel’s Feud Recap

The recent Golden Globes ceremony brought back one of Hollywood’s most infamous feuds when Vin Diesel’s unscripted acknowledgment of Dwayne Johnson created a moment of tension. As Diesel presented the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, he pointedly called out to Johnson, who sat in the audience, leading to an awkward atmosphere that left many in the crowd visibly uneasy. With producers on high alert, concerns were raised that the situation could escalate, reminiscent of the infamous Will Smith and Chris Rock incident.

The rift between Diesel and Johnson dates back to 2016 during the filming of the eighth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, which Johnson referred to in a now-deleted Instagram post. In it, he praised his female counterparts but called out some male co-stars for not being “stand up men,” implying there were issues on set. Although he didn’t directly name Diesel, reports indicated that tensions had been brewing behind the scenes, with conflicting accounts of who was responsible for delays during production.

Following the movie’s release, Diesel tried to downplay the rumored fallout by claiming they were close, even referring to Johnson as “Uncle Dwayne” in his household. However, his portrayal of their bond quickly unraveled. In a 2021 interview, Diesel revealed that he had used a “tough love” approach to help Johnson with his performance, a comment that did not sit well with Johnson. Responding a month later, Johnson announced his departure from the franchise, expressing both humor and disappointment in Diesel’s words, further solidifying the divide between them.

As the feud progressed, Johnson noted in various interviews that he and Diesel were fundamentally different people, suggesting that their philosophical differences were irreconcilable. Despite an effort to meet privately to iron out their issues, Johnson described the encounter as a “meeting of clarity,” concluding they were not meant to work together.

The dynamic shifted dramatically in November 2021 when Diesel posted a heartfelt plea on Instagram, inviting Johnson to return to the franchise. He referenced the fondness of his children for Johnson, but Johnson called out the post as manipulative, confirming he had already declined the offer to return. He reaffirmed that he wished Diesel and the rest of the cast well in their future endeavors.

However, Johnson made a surprising comeback with a cameo in 2023’s Fast X, suggesting a reconciliation. Louis Leterrier, the film’s director, shared that Johnson enjoyed a screening of the film and conversations with the team led to his return. Following this, Johnson expressed a commitment to moving forward, emphasizing that he and Diesel had resolved past differences.

The Golden Globes incident raised questions about whether their tensions had truly dissipated. Diesel later attempted to clarify his earlier shoutout by posting an old photo with Johnson, captioned “All love… Always…”. The future of their relationship remains uncertain, leaving fans in suspense as they await further developments. The ongoing narrative hints at underlying complexities that might yet unfold as the franchise continues, with the next installment slated for a 2026 release.