It appears one-half of American’s most famous bald on-screen duo is hoping to prevent their relationship from hitting rock bottom.
With the “Fast and Furious” franchise nearing its close, star Vin Diesel is attempting to end his longstanding feud with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — by practically begging the superstar to appear with him in the car chase franchise’s penultimate flick.
The actor extended his online olive branch to the fellow muscle man who many fans believe suggested Diesel was a “candy ass” and “chicken s–t” in a scathing — but blind — Facebook attack back in 2016.
“My little brother Dwayne … the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10,” wrote the 54-year-old “Pitch Black” actor in his hatchet-burying bid via Instagram on Sunday.
Johnson, 49, had joined the franchise as Agent Hobbs in 2011’s “Fast Five,” appearing alongside Diesel’s Dom Toretto in each subsequent sequel — until they parted ways as tensions came to a head following 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious.”
Diesel continued, “As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house,” adding “there is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don’t send well wishes.”
The “Boiler Room” star added that that he’d wanted to fulfill his promise to late franchise star Paul Walker (whom he calls “Pablo” in the post) to end the series on a high note.
“I say this out of love… but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play,” Diesel concluded. “Hobbs can’t be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”
The “Pacifier” actor’s entreaty follows a yearslong drama that began during “Fate’s” final weeks of production in 2016, when Johnson excoriated his unnamed male co-stars in a now-deleted Facebook post.
“Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” the former WWE superstar fumed at the time. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s–t to do anything about it anyway. Candy a—s.”
He had added, “When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you’re right.” Meanwhile, insider sources revealed that the two actors frequently butted heads on set.
In a recent Men’s Health Profile, Diesel suggested that his “tough love” method of coaching actors likely ignited the drama — comments that his former co-star called laughable in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
“I laughed and I laughed hard. I think everyone had a laugh at that” mused the “Moana” star, who, following his exodus from the “Fast and Furious” franchise, went on to star in the spin-off franchise “Hobbs & Shaw” with Jason Statham.
Unfortunately, so far it appears unlikely that the Rock will be returning to the “Fast and Furious” franchise anytime soon. “I wish them well on ‘Fast 9,'” scoffed Johnson in the same interview. “And I wish them the best of luck on ‘Fast 10’ and ‘Fast 11’ and the rest of the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies they do that will be without me.”
The Post has reached out to the Rock’s camp for comment on whether he smells what Diesel is cooking.
Meanwhile, “Furious 10” is slated to begin production in January and be released on April 7, 2023. The franchise’s last film will be Furious 11, which will reportedly hit theaters sometime in 2024.
