John Cena is giving some behind-the-scenes intel into the rumored feud between his Fast & the Furious co-stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Vin Diesel.
Cena appeared as Jakob in 2021’s F9: The Fast Saga as well as in 2023’s Fast X. His turn in the long-standing franchise came at a time when Johnson and Diesel were rumored to be at-odds. Cena addressed this tension during a recent appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast.
“At least rumored that was a rough pairing,” Shepard said of The Rock and Diesel.
“There’s certainly rumors about that. I can’t deny that,” Cena admitted, laughing. “You have two very alpha-driven people. You get two, there can only be one.”
Diesel has been with the Fast franchise from the beginning, playing the family-focused Dominic Toretto. Johnson joined the team in 2011’s Fast Five as Luke Hobbs. He went on to appear in 2013’s Fast & Furious 6, 2015’s Furious 7, 2017’s The Fate of the Furious, 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and 2023’s Fast X.
Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Vin Diesel (R) pose for photographers during the premiere of the movie "Fast and Furious 5" at Cinepolis Lagoon on April 15, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. – Buda Mendes/LatinContent via Getty Images
The alleged tension began in 2016 when Johnson called a few of his male Fast & Furious co-stars “candy a**es” and “unprofessional” on Instagram, which fans quickly assumed was a reference to Diesel. A source told ET at the time that Diesel and Johnson definitely clashed on set during filming.
Johnson later vowed in 2021 that there was “no chance” of him returning to star in a Fast & Furious movie — with plans instead to spin off his and Jason Statham’s characters in a series of Hobbs & Shaw films.
However, the Fast X post-credits scene features Jason Momoa’s villain calling Hobbs to tell him he’s coming for him next — all but confirming Johnson’s return for the 11th Fast film. The actor will also star in an upcoming Hobbs-focused Fast & Furious film that will bridge the gap between Fast X and the upcoming Fast X: Part II.
“It was no easy task, because so much has been created in this universe,” Diesel says of Johnson’s return in a previous featurette. “To tie up all these storylines, this character needed to come back into the mythology.”
Justin Lin, John Cena, Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel attend Universal Pictures Presents The Road To F9 Concert and Trailer Drop on January 31, 2020 in Miami, Florida. – Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
The franchise star previously told ET that he was proud of each member of the “great cast” that makes up the extended Fast family.
“We lead with love,” he shared. “We try to create an environment where people can do their best work.”
As for Cena’s take on entering the franchise, on Armchair Expert, the WWE wrestler and actor said he went into the films with a respect for the legacy of the franchise.
“I’m being invited into someone’s home, into someone’s family and regardless of how they look physically in comparison to another human being, this is one IP that’s had nine installments and it’s an action movie. That’s rarified air,” Cena explained. “At the very least, there has to be respect for that. And I think when you look at it from that perspective, and I also know I’m a guest. I’m not trying to get into the sandbox. That’s not my thing. I’m grateful for what you’ve given me. I just want to be the best firetruck I can.”
The Rock and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. – Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Cena and Johnson have their own history of tension embedded in their WWE backgrounds. After Johnson left the WWE to pursue an acting career, Cena called him out before later making the same decision with his own career. The two have since made up with Cena admitting to being in the wrong.
In January, Cena told ET that his own stint in the WWE would be done sooner rather than later.
“That’s not a maybe. That time is gonna come and it’s gonna come soon,” he told ET. “I never wanted to just go out there for the sake of going out there.”
The 47-year-old athlete said he will be done before turning 50.
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