One of the best things about pre-film press is that sometimes, stars are partial to a bit of candor. And, in an interview with longtime film journalist Josh Horowitz, John Cena has implied he’d be able to get two of the biggest (literally) names he knows back together on camera again.
The exchange took place during a wide-ranging interview that Horowitz did with the star for his Happy Sad Confused podcast, in which the pair discussed everything from Cena’s early film career to the plot of the new Fast X film, which the former wrestler was promoting. But one segment that really hit the headlines was Horowitz tangling the prospect of Cena getting Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel together for more than just the cameo that Johnson makes in the newest Fast film.
When asked if he could play “peacemaker” about getting the two together, Cena shrugged coyly, before saying that he “could swing that.” Horowitz then went on to discuss Cena’s own complicated relationship with Johnson, to which Cena said he thought they “always have been good” except for “one little patch” where Cena “got selfish.” However, he assured the audience that they were now in a much better place — perhaps even one where he could convince the Rock to work with Diesel on a more consistent basis again in future Fast films.
The pair have a longstanding feud that many believe began when Johnson posted a highly cryptic, since-deleted post on Instagram where he called out some of his male co-stars in The Fate of the Furious. News then came out that the tension was between Johnson and Diesel, related to everything from production choices to general attitude. Both continued to talk around the subject until Diesel made a post on Instagram publicly begging his former co-star to return to the franchise. On the post, he wrote:
“I say this out of love … but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play. Hobbs can’t be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”
Johnson came public with a very strong stance in December 2021 when he told CNN:
“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. 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.”
However, something seems to have happened behind the scenes as the Rock returned to the franchise, albeit for a cameo rather than a full role. But with Cena’s help, we may get more of that in the future.