Vin Diesel Explains the Necessity to Have that Dwayne Johnson Cameo in Fast X

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back. One of the most compelling moments, which garnered some serious audience reaction in theaters, was those cameos that came out of nowhere at the conclusion of Fast X. Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) shows up in a submarine of all things, and then the pièce de resistance: Luke Hobbs appears. And the Fast & Furious franchise star Vin Diesel knew the return of Hobbs was not only important but essential for the series.

Diesel said in the digital and Blu-ray special features for Fast X (via Entertainment Tonight):

When you end the movie with a cliffhanger of that magnitude, you only do that when you believe that your audience believes in you. But it was no easy task because so much has been created in this universe. And to tie up all the storylines, this character [Hobbs] needed to come back into the mythology.

With such a formidable opponent like Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa) to grapple with, it also seems right that Diesel and director Louis Leterrier welcome Johnson back into the Fast & Furious fold.

Leterrier said during the same special features segment:

There’s no ‘Fast and Furious’ without an amazing tag at the end — a surprise appearance as the lawman pulls off his mask. And we reveal Luke Hobbs.

Related: Fast and Furious: The Best Characters From the Franchise, Ranked

Hobbs Returns to Franchise in Fast X Cameo

Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and his Fast & Furious family are left scattered and defeated at the cliffhanging conclusion of Fast X. Dom’s brother Jakob (John Cena) has sacrificed himself for the cause to stop Dante (Momoa) and save Little B (Leo Abelo Perry). But it will take more than the current roster of heroes to bring down Dante. Enter: Luke Hobbs. However, the lawman’s involvement in 2025’s Fast X: Part 2 isn’t a slam dunk.

The well-documented falling out between Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made reuniting Luke Hobbs with the Fast & Furious franchise once improbable, at best. However, it seems the two actors have mended their fences.

Johnson said in a post on his Twitter account:

The next Fast & Furious film you’ll see the legendary lawman in will be the HOBBS movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for FASTX: Part II. Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love.

The Hobbs movie Johnson refers to is titled Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Reyes. And it not only confirms the Fast X trilogy blueprint, but teases a showdown between “The Rock” and Jason Momoa. Now, depending on when the SAG-AFTRA strike ends, Fast & Furious fans could perhaps see a double-header in 2025, but it’s more likely the two new Fast films will hit theaters over the next couple to three years.