Dwayne Johnson has doubled down on his decision to publicly call out his “Fast 8” co-stars on Instagram over the summer, while admitting the studio, perhaps, wasn’t too thrilled with his decision to do so.
“I was very clear with what I said. I’ve been in the game a long time,” Johnson told The LA Times Saturday. “Would Universal [Pictures] have preferred that didn’t happen? Sure, we talked about it. The irony is after that and as they do their tracking and all their analysis, the interest [in ‘Fast 8’] shot through the roof to a whole other level.”
In August, Johnson opened up an Internet’s worth of speculation when he ripped some of his male costars — he didn’t name names — as unprofessional, “candy asses” and “chicken s-t.”
“There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one. An incredible hard working crew. Universal has been great partners as well. My female co-stars are always amazing and I love ‘em. My male co-stars however are a different story,” Johnson wrote. “Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t.”
“The ones that don’t are too chicken s-t to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses. 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,” he added. “Bottom line is it’ll play great for the movie and fits this Hobbs character that’s embedded in my DNA extremely well. The producer in me is happy about this part. Final week on ‘Fast 8’ and I’ll finish strong.”
While Johnson didn’t point his finger in a specific direction, media reports targeted Vin Diesel as the cause of his wrath.
The Evolution of 'Fast and the Furious' Franchise (Photos)
“The Fast and the Furious” (2001): The movie that launched it all. Brian (Paul Walker), an undercover cop, infiltrates the street racing crew of Dom (Vin Diesel)
Universal Pictures
"2 Fast 2 Furious" (2003): Diesel sat this thrill-ride out, with Brian recruiting his friend Roman (Tyrese Gibson) to help take down a drug lord
Universal Pictures
"Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006): The odd man out in the series, Lucas Black took the wheel as a brash American who makes a name for himself as a drift racer in Japan
Universal Pictures
"Fast & Furious" (2009): The old gang got back together for this hit in which Brian recruits Dom and his new crew to take down a heroin importer
Universal Pictures
"Fast Five" (2011): Dom and Brian plan a massive heist while avoiding the ire of a drug kingpin and federal agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson)
Universal Pictures
"Fast & Furious 6" (2013): Hobbs promises to wipe Dom and his crews' records clean if they help him take down a gang of mercenaries
Universal Pictures
"Furious 7" (Release date: April 3, 2015): A new enemy emerges to take revenge on Dom and the crew. Walker died during filming in 2013
Universal Pictures
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Take a look back at the megahit film series from its rubber-burning beginnings
“The Fast and the Furious” (2001): The movie that launched it all. Brian (Paul Walker), an undercover cop, infiltrates the street racing crew of Dom (Vin Diesel)