In a significant move that signals the definitive end of one of Hollywood's most publicised rivalries, Vin Diesel has publicly praised Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson for his performance in the new UFC biopic, The Smashing Machine.
From Feud to Friendship: The Instagram Endorsement
The 58-year-old Fast and Furious star took to Instagram on Thursday 27 November 2025 to share a throwback picture with his former co-star. In a lengthy caption, Diesel expressed his admiration for Johnson's portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr, a role for which the actor underwent a dramatic physical transformation.
"People don’t understand what it takes to uphold a global perception every single day," Diesel wrote, acknowledging the demands of Johnson's career. He then recounted how a fan's comment ultimately led to their on-screen collaboration. "I remember asking our global family who they’d love to see me work with, and a woman named Jan left a comment saying her dream was for me to collaborate with Dwayne. What followed became one of the most dynamic pairings in cinema."
Diesel was effusive in his praise for Johnson's commitment to his Fast and Furious character, Luke Hobbs, stating he "left an indelible mark on Universal’s character hall of fame." After speaking about his personal friendship with the real Mark Kerr, Diesel concluded his endorsement, saying, "Dwayne really did it… He brought us back in time and shined doing it."
The History of the Fast and Furious Rift
The very public feud between the two action stars ignited during their time working together on the Fast and Furious franchise. Tensions reportedly boiled over on set, leading to Johnson's infamous Instagram post in August 2016 where he lashed out at an unnamed male co-star, later confirmed to be Diesel.
"Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t," Johnson fumed at the time. "The ones that don’t are too chicken s*** to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses. 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."
Diesel later attributed the tension to his use of "tough love" to elicit a better performance, a justification that Johnson publicly mocked. "I laughed and I laughed hard," Johnson responded. "I think everyone had a laugh at that." He confirmed he would not appear in future franchise instalments, a decision he stuck with for 2019's F9.
Burying the Hatchet for Fast 11
Despite the acrimony, a thaw in relations became evident when Johnson made a surprise cameo in the post-credits scene of Fast X. This was followed by an official announcement in 2023 that the war was over and Johnson would return to the franchise.
"Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us," Johnson wrote on X. "We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve — and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love."
However, the reconciliation has not been without its awkward moments. Earlier this year, when Diesel gave Johnson a shoutout at the 2025 Golden Globes, cameras captured the latter responding with a decidedly icy expression. Despite this, Diesel's latest public support for The Smashing Machine confirms that the two mega-stars have officially moved past their differences, paving the way for their highly anticipated reunion in the eleventh and final mainline Fast and Furious film.
