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Tyrese Gibson threatens to leave Fast & Furious over Dwayne Johnson

Is this the end of the road for Roman Pearce?

NICK ROMANO@NICKAROMANO


Could Tyrese Gibson’s ongoing feud with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson break up the Fast & Furious family? The actor, who plays Roman Pearce in the ongoing franchise, posted a new attack against The Rock on social media, threatening to leave the cast of Fast & Furious 9 should Johnson return.

Addressing his “loyal fans and loves ones from OUR fast universe,” Gibson wrote, “I’m sorry to announce that if Dewayne [sic] is in Fast9 there will no more Roman Peirce [sic] – You mess with family and my daughters survival I mess with yours.” The actor proceeded to call Johnson a “clown” and “#CandyAssBitch.”

“All my real one [sic],” he continued. “Men on [sic] integrity… my real ones out here stand UP…… folks that GP to the gym and get big naturally #NoJuice #NoOJ spin off huh? Spin off these nuts selfish champ…… pause notice who’s got his arms around my shoulder and who’s standing alone.”

In an earlier post, Gibson said he was “never mad” at Johnson, but claimed Johnson “‘pitched’ an idea privately and said yes to it without thinking of what I’m dealing with personally.” Gibson is in the midst of a legal battle with his ex-wife over custody of their daughter.

Representatives for Gibson and Johnson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Universal Pictures, which releases the Fast & Furious films, did not have a comment to pass along at this time. However, a source said the studio is “moving forward as planned with the Fast titles that have already been announced — that includes 9 and 10 and the spinoff.”

Gibson began feuding with Johnson in September when he posted a message to Instagram begging his costar not to delay development on Fast 9. Rumblings of a spinoff focusing on Johnson’s Hobbs character had the potential to do just that. Sure enough, the next installment of the core film saga was formally pushed from its planned release slot in April 2019 to April 10, 2020 and Universal Pictures announced the Hobbs spinoff.

Gibson responded by attacking Johnson, again, on social media. Shortly after that, video was unearthed of Johnson trashing Gibson’s “dog sh– album,” Black Rose.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for this franchise that I’ve enjoyed droppin’ blood and sweat in over the years and my vision is to create greater opportunities for not only my fellow FF cast mates, but for other amazing actors as well who want to be a part of something new and cool,” Johnson wrote in defense of a spinoff. “I want to use my spinoff platform to create new characters that fans will ultimately love to have fun with in multiple chapters and platforms. Film, TV, Digital, Virtual Reality etc.. the more opportunities we can create the better for the fans. Smart business.”

EW confirmed that Justin Lin, a veteran filmmaker of the franchise, is in “advanced talks” to return to direct Fast 9, while Vin Diesel teased a comeback for Jordana Brewster. In revealing Lin, Diesel said, “‘The crowd goes wild. It’s a three-point shot that made 9 and 10 incredible.’ You wanted 9 and 10 to be incredible. We’ve heard your concerns about the saga and where it needs to arrive in its final chapters.”

Diesel had also addressed the Gibson-Johnson feud in a veiled message to social media. “I know there has been a lot of speculation as to why the Fast 9 release date was pushed… but it would be unfair to say it is anyone’s fault,” he wrote in part. “As we plot the course to expand the Fast & Furious universe, one must be mindful to take stock of the roads we took to get here. The pillars of authenticity, family and most importantly, our loyal fan’s perspective has been instrumental in procuring success.”