Dwayne Johnson Returns to "Fast and Furious" Franchise

Dwayne Johnson has returned to the “Fast and Furious” franchise, making an appearance in the post-credits sequence for the upcoming “Fast X”.

The return is shocking given how adamant Johnson was about not returning to the series. 

In November 2021, “Fast and Furious” franchise star and producer Vin Diesel extended an invitation to Johnson to make peace and return on Instagram, imploring Johnson to reprise his role as secret agent Lucas Hobbs for the next installment in the series.

 essentially to beg Johnson to return to the franchise for its upcoming 10th mainline entry. In 2019, Johnson starred in “Hobbs & Shaw,” a spin-off with Jason Statham.

A month after Diesel’s social media appeal, Johnson told CNN: “I told [Diesel] directly that I would not be returning to the franchise. 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. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding.” 

On Friday, Meadow Walker Thornton-Allan, daughter of the late “Fast and Furious” star Paul Walker, is also making her first onscreen appearance in “Fast X”.

Meadow and Johnson are the latest addition to the film’s supersized cast, with Diesel and franchise regulars such as Sung Kang, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Rodriguez, Scott Eastwood, Cardi B, Michael Rooker, Jason Statham, John Cena, and Helen Mirren, and Charlize Theron, who’s played the villain Cypher since “The Fate of the Furious”.

It will also introduce new faces such as Jason Momoa has joined the series as the movie's main villain as well as Rita Moreno, who plays the Torettos’ grandmother, Brie Larson, Daniela Melchior, and Alan Ritchson.

Leo Abelo Perry also stars as little Brian, Dominic Toretto’s son, who was named in honor of Walker’s character.

"Fast X" is set to be the first part of the two-film conclusion to the franchise. The movie is set to be huge as the franchise races toward its conclusion.

The first installment of the “Fast and the Furious” franchise premiered in 2001 and now has billions of dollars at the worldwide box office, spin-off movies, spin-off TV shows, amusement park rides, video games, and more.

What started as a simple action movie starring relatively unknown actors like Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Michelle Rodriguez has turned into a massive success. It has also helped launch the careers of the people in front of the camera and behind.

“Fast X” hits theaters on May 19.