At the 2025 Golden Globes, all eyes were on Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the two action stars shared a brief yet undeniably awkward moment that reignited rumors of their long-standing feud. Their surprise interaction occurred during Diesel's presentation of the Film Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, where he made a point to acknowledge his former "Fast & Furious" co-star.
As Diesel scanned the star-studded audience, his gaze fell upon Johnson. With a faint chuckle, Diesel raised a hand in a small wave and quipped, "Hey, Dwayne," drawing scattered murmurs and raised eyebrows from the crowd. The playful tone didn't go unnoticed, but fans quickly noted the exchange's tension. Johnson, seated with his "Hobbs & Shaw" co-star Jason Statham, responded with a polite nod and a reserved smile. The fleeting moment may have seemed cordial, but it carried a weight of history among them.
The pair, who headlined "Fast Five," "Furious 6," and "The Fate of the Furious," have had a famously tumultuous relationship. Their highly publicized feud began in 2016, when Johnson called out an unnamed co-star in a now-deleted Instagram post for unprofessional behavior on set, referring to them as "candy asses." Fans quickly deduced the target was Diesel, leading to a bitter fallout. Johnson later confirmed the tension in interviews, citing a clash in their work ethics and perspectives.
The fallout had significant repercussions for the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Johnson ultimately opted not to return for subsequent mainline films, instead spearheading the successful spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw" with Statham. The absence of Johnson's fan-favorite character, Luke Hobbs, from the main saga left a noticeable gap. Still, it also allowed the WWE wrestler-turned-actor further to establish himself as a solo action star in Hollywood.
While Diesel has occasionally hinted at reconciliation in the years since, including a public appeal in 2021 urging Johnson to return for "Fast X," Johnson made it clear that he had moved on. At the time, Johnson described Diesel's comments as "manipulative" and reiterated that he had no plans to rejoin the franchise.
Fans at the Golden Globes took to social media to dissect the pair's body language during the exchange. Many wondered if the icy interaction signaled an ongoing rift. Others speculated whether Diesel's public acknowledgment was a step toward mending fences or simply a performative gesture.
Despite their differences, the success of the "Fast & Furious" franchise is thanks to their combined star power. Both actors have since continued to dominate Hollywood in their rights. Diesel recently wrapped up the final chapter of the "Fast" saga, and Johnson expanded his portfolio with blockbuster hits like "Moana" and ventures outside of acting.