Despite having largely retreated from the public eye, Jean Claude Van Damme’s legacy as a 1990s action star endures – a career defined by his iconic kicks, powerful punches, and memorable roles in action films like Time Cop, Hard Target, Expendables, and Universal Soldier. While his reputation could have extended to the Fast & Furious franchise, it was thwarted by none other than the franchise’s lead, Vin Diesel.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Van Damme disclosed he was on the verge of joining Fast & Furious. However, the plans were dashed by Vin Diesel, the central figure of the franchise, who vetoed his involvement.
While Van Damme didn’t provide a reason for Vin Diesel’s objection, the Fast & Furious star’s history of antagonizing his fellow stars might provide a clue.
One of Diesel’s most publicized feuds was with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The rift between the two became glaringly apparent in 2016 when Johnson called out Diesel and other male co-stars after wrapping up filming for the eighth film in the franchise. Johnson’s departure led him to pursue the Hobbs & Shaw spinoff alongside Jason Statham, distancing himself from the main series.
Despite multiple attempts to bring him back into the fold, Johnson stood firm on his decision to stay away from the franchise for many years. He eventually changed his mind, appearing in a cameo in the latest installment with plans to star in another spinoff. However, it wasn’t without considerable effort on the part of many people.
Diesel, who doubles as one of the franchise’s producers, also had a feud with long-time franchise director Justin Lin. Set to helm the final two films of the franchise, Lin also left after he clashed with Diesel on Fast X’s script.
According to a recent report, Diesel’s latest target is the franchise’s new star, Jason Momoa, who plays the villain in Fast X and its upcoming sequel. While the report suggested Diesel’s criticism was due to Momoa’s role affecting the film’s critical reception, an insider hinted at a different motive – Diesel’s concern that Momoa was stealing his spotlight.
While disagreements are normal between coworkers, Diesel, in particular, seems to have a penchant for them, especially with his Fast & Furious co-stars. Given his history, it isn’t far-fetched to wonder whether the Guardians of the Galaxy star saw Van Damme, a celebrated action star, as a potential rival in the Fast & Furious franchise. If this assumption holds true, it could shed light on Diesel’s objection to Van Damme’s casting, marking another chapter in the ongoing drama behind the Fast & Furious saga.
In the world of high-speed chases and explosive stunts, it seems that off-screen drama is just as intense as the action on screen. Fortunately for fans, Diesel’s antics hasn’t gotten in the way of an enjoyable experience. Even though Van Damme never appeared in the franchise and Johnson exited, it has proven to be a big box office draw and keeps driving fans to theaters.
The next and final installment in the franchise Fast 11 is slated for release in April 2025. However, that date could very well change given the recent WGA strike and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
