Paul Walter Hauser Takes a Jab at Vin Diesel in Viral Interview
The “Inside Out 2” star criticizes Vin Diesel for alleged mistreatment of cast and crew, highlighting a growing Hollywood controversy
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend at the “Inside Out 2” press junket, Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser made headlines for a viral moment where he criticized Vin Diesel for allegedly mistreating cast and crew on set. Despite never having worked with Diesel, Hauser expressed his disinterest based on these allegations.
When the interviewer compared Hauser’s role in “Inside Out 2” to Vin Diesel, Hauser promptly responded, “Please don’t say that.”
“I like to think I am on time and approachable,” Hauser continued, hinting at Diesel’s reputed lack of punctuality and approachability. “I love people, but when I hear stories about Hollywood actors who get paid really well and mistreat people… I out them constantly, and it’s a blast.”
Over the years, there have been numerous reports about Diesel’s tardiness on set, which purportedly led to his feud with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson during the filming of the “Fast & Furious” series. Diesel, however, has defended his actions, telling Men’s Health in 2021 that it was “tough love” aimed at extracting a stellar performance from Johnson.
“It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character,” Diesel explained. “My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be. As a producer to say, ‘Okay, we’re going to take Dwayne Johnson, who’s associated with wrestling, and we’re going to force this cinematic world, audience members, to regard his character as someone that they don’t know.’”
Diesel insisted that his tough approach was necessary to achieve the powerful Hobbs character. “Hobbs hits you like a ton of bricks. That’s something that I’m proud of, that aesthetic. That took a lot of work. We had to get there and sometimes, at that time, I could give a lot of tough love. Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I’d have to do in order to get performances in anything I’m producing.”
Despite their past conflicts, Johnson and Diesel appear to have mended their relationship, with Johnson returning to the “Fast” franchise in the credits scene of “Fast X.”
In a related controversy, Diesel faced a lawsuit last year from a former assistant who accused him of sexual misconduct in 2010. Diesel has “categorically denied” these allegations.
