It’s been over two years since Dwayne The Rock Johnson failed to change the power hierarchy in the DCU. He’s done a lot to control his image since then. He returned to the WWE, expecting adulation, only to be booed significantly (though he did lean into those boos in a way you only can with wrestling). His next film, The Smashing Machine, will see him step outside his shirt pocket-laden comfort zone. The actor also admitted to peeing in bottles on sets but insisted it wasn’t a big deal. Still, Dwayne’s biggest move in Hollywood circles may be the most embarrassing: He had to capitulate to Vin Diesel.
The feud between Vin and Dwayne is no secret. The duo teamed up starting with Fast Five in 2011 during The Rock’s “Franchise Viagra” days. His addition to that series of films was a success, and he would star in three more before getting a spinoff with Jason Statham. By this point, Vin and Dwayne could not stand each other, with Dwayne bringing their feud out into the open and accusing Vin of being unprofessional. However, the spinoff did not do as well as the other films and it seemed like The Rock’s time in the franchise was done.
Dwayne held firm that he was not a fan of Vin’s. It seemed like the two would never meet onscreen again. Then, Black Adam absolutely tanked. Then, it was revealed that Dwayne’s attempt at a coup in the DCU offices failed spectacularly, with James Gunn seizing the reigns instead. After all that, The Rock ended up appearing in a post-credits scene in Fast X, revealing the return of his character for the next film. Both stars made social media posts about Dwayne’s return and everything seemed hunky dory between the two (at least in the sense that they’re both ready to shut up and make money).
Then, something happened at the Golden Globes last night. Vin got up to present an award for Most Money Made or something and before anything else, he said, “Hey, Dwayne.” The cameras cut to Dwayne Johnson, forcing a smile so hard it looked like his teeth were about to crack. There are laughs, which Vin acknowledges, and then he moves on, talking about all the incredible directors he’s worked with over the years. I can only imagine the exchange left Dwayne Johnson seething. The man likes to be in control, and here he had to be an observer to a supercharged “Hey.”
We likely won’t see any fallout from this moment. Dwayne is not in a position to push back. He’ll need the next Fast And Furious movie as much as it needs him. And hell, maybe I’m wrong and this was a simple hello! But that doesn’t seem likely. The Rock will appear on WWE’s inaugural Netflix show this evening. I bet he’s gonna let out any anger he can once he gets in that ring.