Vin Diesel Explains Tension With Dwayne Johnson: "It Was Tough Love"

BYErika Marie11.4K Views
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Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, Fast & Furious
Vin claims he was just trying to give The Rock a few pointers on how to improve his acting techniques.

As the latest Fast & Furious film remains the talk of Hollywood, Vin Diesel is taking a walk down memory lane. It was back in 2016 during the filming of the eighth movie when rumors spread that there was animosity on set between Vin and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The wrestling icon-turned-acclaimed actor was taking on the role of Luke Hobbs, and after an encounter on set, he took to Instagram to call someone out.

"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," Johnson wrote at the time. He later told Rolling Stone that he realized he and Vin were just different people with different "philosophies," and in a recent interview with Men's Health, Vin Diesel is sharing his side of the story.

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“It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character. My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be,” said Vin. “As a producer to say, ‘OK, we’re going to take Dwayne Johnson, who’s associated with wrestling, and we’re going to force this cinematic world, audience members, to regard his character as someone that they don’t know’ — Hobbs hits you like a ton of bricks.”

That took a lot of work. We had to get there and sometimes, at that time, I could give a lot of tough love,” he said. “Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I’d have to do in order to get performances in anything I’m producing.” Fans weren't completely thrilled with Vin Diesel's assessment and made their opinions known. Check it out below.

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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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