Vin Diesel confirmed that he can be staying on with the “Fast & Furious” franchise as he spoke out for the primary time since his former assistant Asta Jonasson sued him for sexual battery.
The 56-year-old actor, who produces and stars within the hit movie collection, shared an replace on the upcoming eleventh installment in his first public assertion concerning his future with “Fast & Furious” after sexual assault allegations have been made in opposition to him by Jonasson final December.
Diesel, who additionally appeared to substantiate that the long-running franchise can be ending with the eleventh film, has beforehand denied any wrongdoing.
“Just finished our end of the week Fast meeting with the writers and the whole team… to say the excitement for our finale was incredibly powerful is an understatement. Wow. So exciting…,” Diesel wrote in an Instagram put up alongside a nonetheless of himself within the film.
Vin Diesel confirmed he’s staying on with the “Fast & Furious” franchise after sexual assault allegations. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Pictures)
The California native went on to reward the followers of “Fast & Furious” for his or her help and dedication to the franchise.
VIN DIESEL ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY FORMER ASSISTANT
“While everyone was heading into the weekend amped and excited, I thought of you all… reminded of the countless moments when your enthusiasm and passion became the driving force behind our creative journey,” he wrote.
“Your commitment to our saga has had a unique impact on its success and evolution… as my youngest daughter would say, it’s profound.”
“Thank you for being the backbone of this global saga that because of you, transcends the screen,” he added.
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“This grand finale is not just an ending; it’s a celebration of the incredible family we’ve built together.”
“Hope to make you proud!” he concluded.
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Diesel has starred as Dominic Toretto, the chief of a road racing staff, because the action franchise’s debut film “The Fast & the Furious” premiered in 2001. Although he didn’t seem within the second movie, 2003’s “2 Fast 2 Furious” and solely made a short cameo within the third installment, 2006’s “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” Diesel returned as a star and producer for the fourth film, 2009’s “Fast & Furious.”
Diesel has starred within the franchise because the first film, 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious.” (Picture by Common/Getty Pictures)
The actor has remained a lead character and served as a producer for the franchise’s final six installments, together with the tenth movie “Fast X,” which was launched in Could 2023.
Nevertheless, he has not beforehand commented on his future with the franchise since Johansson filed a sexual battery lawsuit in opposition to him beneath California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act, which permits victims to revive claims that might in any other case be barred from the authorized course of because of the expiration of the statute of limitations.
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In response to a criticism filed on Dec. 21 and obtained by Fox Information Digital, Jonasson accused the actor of assaulting her whereas engaged on the “Fast Five” film.
She claimed Diesel employed her in 2010, and her first task was organizing events and catering for Diesel throughout filming. Diesel allegedly assaulted Jonasson one evening whereas she was attempting to maintain folks from photographing the actor hanging out with a number of ladies within the suite of his resort.
Diesel attended the thirty seventh Annual American Cinematheque Awards final week in his first public look because the lawsuit was filed. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Pictures for American Cinematheque)
Jonasson additionally claimed Samantha Vincent, president of One Race and Vin Diesel’s sister, referred to as her hours after the alleged assault and fired her.
A consultant for Diesel denied the declare.
“Let me be very clear, Vin Diesel categorically denies this declare in its entirety,” the rep stated. “This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
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Diesel has largely stepped again from the highlight following the allegations. Final week, he attended the American Cinematheque Awards in Los Angeles in his first public look because the lawsuit was filed, in accordance with the Hollywood Reporter.
The eleventh “Fast & Furious” film is slated to be launched on April 4, 2025.
Fox Information Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
