F8Gate. The ‘Candy Ass’ Heard ’Round the World. Call it what you will, but last year’s unexpected beef between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel on the set of The Fate of the Furious has resulted in a Hollywood blind item almost as interesting and epic as the movie franchise that spawned it. Forget about turning your back on family; watching Dwayne Johnson lose his legendary cool over one of his costars was like watching a couple you really admired go through a messy divorce. Were things really that out-of-control behind the scenes or was this all an elaborate ruse involving two men who understand the showmanship involved in a proper heel turn?

For his part, Dwayne Johnson has since doubled down on his comments, noting that he was ‘very clear’ on what he said, even if it meant getting his wrist slapped by the studio. It wasn’t until this last week, however, that Diesel opened up about the whole affair. In an interview with USA Today (via The Wrap), Diesel shrugged the whole thing off while still managing to take a few gentle shots at his costar:

I protect the franchise. I protect everybody including Dwayne. I protected Dwayne more than he’ll ever know. And it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t have to know. But he appreciates it. He knows it. Dwayne has only got one Vin in his life. Dwayne Johnson only has one big brother in this film world and that’s me.

Diesel also noted in the interview that Johnson is “Uncle Dwayne” in his household, suggesting that the two stars remain close despite public appearances. That being said, there’s no missing the clear hierarchy that exists in Diesel’s head. It’s Diesel’s franchise, and while he and Johnson might get along, there’s only one Vin Diesel in the world and he’s the one that has a voice with the studio. Johnson might be “Uncle Dwayne” in Diesel’s house, but the house itself? That belongs to Vin. Barring the reveal that this was all some big publicity stunt, it seems like both men have enough ego to fuel this conflict indefinitely, or at least through three more Fast and the Furious movies. I can’t wait.

Here’s the full plot synopsis for The Fate of the Furious:

Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game — and the rest of the crew has been exonerated — the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime he can’t seem to escape and a betrayal of those closest to him, they will face trials that will test them as never before.

The Fate of the Furious will roar into theaters on April 14.

More From ScreenCrush