The Fast & Furious franchise has always been one successful series of films, but there is no denying the fact that Dwayne Johnson’s addition did catapult it to the rare list of top-grossing franchises ever. Though his Luke Hobbs and Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto shared a strong on-set camaraderie, the same didn’t translate in real life as their real-life feud led Johnson openly call Diesel “manipulative” and bid farewell to the franchise for good. But things are apparently about to change with Fate X.
The last we saw Luke Hobbs was in the eighth Fast & Furious sequel, The Fate of the Furious, in 2017, followed by the spin-off film, Hobbs & Shaw, wherein he starred alongside Jason Statham. While news of the latter getting a sequel has been enthusiastically discussed by Johnson, the reports of him and Diesel having a falling out during the making of the eighth film were accompanied by obvious confirmations that Hobbs will not be joining Toretto ever again.
And it was not one of those peaceful separations either. When Diesel took to Instagram in 2021 to convey that he is ready to bury the hatchet and asked the former WWE wrestler to “rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny” by starring in Fast X. In response, Johnson issued a scathing comment via CNN, highlighting that he had explicitly clarified to Diesel that “there was no chance I would return” and called the Fast & Furious star’s Instagram post “an example of his manipulation.”
“I didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker’s death. Leave them out of it. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding.”
But if a recent report is to be believed, Johnson, in the wake of the disappointment that was Black Adam, has decided to play catch up with Diesel on all the reasons why he should be back in Fast X.
Should we expect to see Dwayne Johnson as Hobbs in Fast X?
As the film starts, you don’t have to be on the lookout for Hobbs and his bulging muscles but do make a point to stick around till the very end.
So far, neither Johnson nor Diesel, or for that matter anyone related to the upcoming sequel has not uttered a single word about Hobbs’ return. But as per a new report by The Wrap, you can expect to see the bounty hunter in the post-credits scene of Fast X. If true, what motivated the actor to change his decision? Why isn’t he part of the Torretto team throughout the film? Also, does it mean Johnson is back to the Fast & Furious saga for good or will it be a one-off appearance to tie up his story?
Well, these questions will be thankfully answered once Fast X rolls into theaters this May 19.