With “F9’s” success at the box office in spite of the pandemic, it’s no surprise that there is going to be another installment to this long lived franchise. I am old enough to remember when these films were just Vin Diesel growling about family and the occasional drag race. Now, it’s Vin Diesel growling about family and super spy heists in space. I wonder what has changed?
Well, you have to do something to keep these movies fresh after nine films. That said, everyone knows that the fundamental change in the franchise came after Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson came on the scene. Introduced in the fifth film as government agent Luke Hobbs, he quickly became a highlight of the new films and even got his own spin-off movie. Vin was getting jealous.
Their feud boiled over into the public space after Dwayne Johnson made some controversial Instagram posts back in 2016. He called out a then-unnamed co-star for being “candy ass” and “chicken sh%!” That candy-ass belonged to none other than Vin Diesel. The feud began after Vin Diesel tried to sink a Hobbs spin-off film.
Like I said, Vin was getting jealous. That didn’t work as “Hobbs and Shaw” does now exist and that’s all I can really say about that film, it exists. The dispute it spawned, however, seemed to have brought the two megaton egos of the franchise to irreconcilable differences. It seemed unlikely either of their characters would ever share the big screen again. At least, not without some CGI or camera tricks that is.
But, an olive branch has been extended publicly by Vin Diesel over Instagram. “My little brother Dwayne …” I’m sure Dwayne Johnson loved that, “the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10.”
If it isn’t called “FX” or “Fast * Furious X,” then this franchise never deserved success.
“As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don’t send well wishes… but the time has come. Legacy awaits.” He’s so dramatic!
Vin Diesel continued on, “I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo [Paul Walker]. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10! 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. Hobbs can be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”
Dwayne Johnson has yet to comment if he plans on fulfilling his destiny, but when he does, we here at Metaflix will make sure to let you know.
