At the 2025 Golden Globes, all eyes were on Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the two action stars shared a brief yet undeniably awkward moment, reigniting rumors of their long-standing feud. Their surprise interaction occurred during Diesel's presentation of the Film Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, where he made a point to acknowledge his former "Fast & Furious" co-star.
Diesel, 57, took to the stage on January 5, 2025, to present the award, and as he scanned the star-studded audience, his gaze fell upon Johnson, 52. With a faint chuckle, Diesel raised his hand and said, "Hey, Dwayne," which drew scattered murmurs and raised eyebrows from the crowd. The playful tone was appreciated by some, yet it did not go unnoticed how it carried the weight of their complex history. Johnson responded with a polite nod and reserved smile, seated next to his "Hobbs & Shaw" co-star Jason Statham.
This encounter may have appeared cordial on the surface, but it underlined the turbulent relationship between the two actors. Their feud, which became public knowledge back in 2016, sparked considerable media attention. Johnson famously expressed his frustrations on Instagram about unnamed male co-stars he deemed unprofessional, using phrases like "chicken s---" and "candy asses." While he never named Diesel directly, fans quickly connected the dots, leading to widespread speculation about their discord.
According to Glenn Weiss, executive producer of the Golden Globes telecast, the unexpected nature of the interaction caused concern among the production team. Weiss remarked, "It kind of keeps you gripped... and even you in the press room, us in the truck, are going, ‘Wait, what? What’s happening?’" His commentary highlighted the uncertain atmosphere around the two stars, turning their interaction from mere pleasantries to something more significant—an audience deciphering underlying tensions.
Johnson confirmed the tension surrounding their relationship during various interviews over the years. He explained his reservations came from differing work ethics and production philosophies. Diesel acknowledged this disagreement, explaining his role as a producer, which required him to implement tough love with Johnson to achieve optimal on-screen performance. Their contrasting artistic approaches, combined with public confrontations and social media exchanges, solidified the distance between them.
Despite the feud, both stars have continued to thrive within the entertainment industry. Diesel has been wrapping up the latest installments of the "Fast & Furious" saga, whereas Johnson has branched out with significant roles such as Voicing Maui in Disney's "Moana" and starring alongside Kevin Hart in enjoyable buddy comedies.
While the January 5 interaction seemed cordial, fans on social media began to analyze every detail, wondering if it indicated any potential resolution. Comments poured onto platforms like Reddit, with some speculating whether this was simply a surface-level gesture, with one user quipping it was like watching the infamous Oscars incident involving Chris Rock and Will Smith all over again. Another user commented, "I thought we were getting slap 2.0," drawing comparisons to the dramatic moment from the previous awards season.
On the other hand, many fans clung to hope for reconciliation. Diesel and Johnson had hinted at mending their past differences, especially after Johnson announced his return to the franchise for the upcoming "Fast X: Part 2," slated to release in 2026. He stated on X (formerly known as Twitter), "Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us... We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve — and always take care of the franchise, characters and FANS we love." Before his announcement, Johnson alienated himself from the franchise even more after indicating he would only come back under specific conditions, which included not sharing scenes with Diesel.
The tension between Diesel and Johnson has clearly evolved over the years—from explosive social media posts and the feeling of betrayal during filming to acknowledging each other's work and roles publicly. Whether or not the Golden Globes moment solidified their path to genuine reconciliation remains uncertain. Fans eagerly anticipate their onscreen chemistry returning to the "Fast & Furious" franchise as they gear up for future projects.