Dwayne Johnson’s return to Fast X was one of the film’s biggest surprises, with the announcement nearly fully kept under wraps until its release last week.
Following a conflict with Vin Diesel, the WWE star exited the Fast & Furious franchise after the eighth film debuted in 2017.
Despite pledging never to return despite public appeals from his co-star, the 51-year-old reappeared as Luke Hobbs in a post-credits cameo in the newest film, delighting fans.
In a recent interview, director Louis Leterrier reveals how they all convinced the Hollywood favourite to set aside the drama for the sake of the movie.
When asked about who ‘brokered the peace treaty’, he told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘The peace treaty … I kind of did. We all did. Ultimately, the movie did. I didn’t know Dwayne, personally, but we reached out to Dwayne and Dwayne’s team. We sort of looked at each other from across the room and winked a few months back, saying, “We should work together.”
‘And then I had this idea and I presented it to the producers and the studio. And then we reached out to Dwayne and his team and said, “Just come and watch the movie. You have to love the movie first.” So he came to see the movie and really loved it, and then we started talking.
‘It was very smooth, and frankly, as a fan, I could not conceive continuing the franchise without either Dwayne or Gal Gadot.
‘This franchise was built by actors and characters. The set pieces are wonderful. They keep you entertained and keep you shoving popcorn in your mouth, but the characters make this franchise what it is.’
In a brief moment at the end of the film, Luke could be seen answering a ringing phone, with ultimate villain Dante (Jason Momoa) on the other end.
The newcomer informed the cop that he would get retribution for his father’s death in Rio in 2011, as depicted in Fast Five.
Luke insisted that he was not to be trifled with, setting the stage for even more drama in the last installment, which is expected to be released in 2025.
Dwayne joined the Fast & Furious franchise in 2011, and has since appeared in Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, and his own spin-off with Jason Statham.
He announced his departure in a rage on social media in 2016, taking aim at his anonymous male co-stars.
‘Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don’t,’ he fumed at the time.
‘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.’
Vin openly extended an olive branch and begged him to return in 2021, before of the release of Fast X, a move that irritated Dwayne.
In an interview with CNN, he lambasted the action star for making the relocation public and pulling their loved ones into the mess.
‘I was very surprised by Vin’s recent post. This past June, when Vin and I actually connected not over social media, I told him directly – and privately – that I would not be returning to the franchise,’ he told the outlet.
‘I was firm yet cordial with my words and said that I would always be supportive of the cast and always root for the franchise to be successful, but that there was no chance I would return.’
‘Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation. I didn’t like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker’s death. Leave them out of it,’ he added.
‘We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding. My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise with gratitude and grace. It’s unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters.
‘Regardless, I’m confident in the Fast universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience, and I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter.’
Fast X is in cinemas now.
