‘The Rock’ bares reason for choosing ‘Fast & Furious’ spin-off over 9th film

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson in “The Fate of the Furious.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

The extremely popular “Fast and Furious” franchise is certainly filled with action and drama both on and off screen.

Last month, Tyrese Gibson pleaded with his co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to forego his plans of a spin-off, which will delay the ninth installment of the franchise.

READ: Tyrese Gibson warns Fast & Furious co-star ‘The Rock’ not to delay 9th movie

But it looks like his request has fallen on deaf ears, as Gibson, who plays the smooth-talking “Roman Pierce,” confirmed that the upcoming film won’t come out until April 2020, to make way for the spin-off based on Johnson’s character “Luke Hobbs.”

READ: Tyrese calls Dwayne Johnson ‘a clown’ for ‘Fast’ spinoff

The 45-year-old former WWE star has yet to address his co-star’s claims, but recently tweeted his reason for accepting the project.

“My goal from day 1 was to come in and create an exciting/fun character for the fans, elevate the franchise and build it out,” he wrote on Twitter.

His somehow cryptic response comes two days after Gibson’s claims of being “selfish” and making the series “all about him.”

Johnson, who plays the muscle-clad government agent “Luke Hobbs,” first joined the  the saga in “Fast Five” in 2011.

Since then, he has become a staple of the series, assuming the role in the the subsequent “Fast & Furious 6” in 2013, “Furious 7” in 2015 and “Fate of the Furious” in 2017.

The untitled spin-off is expected to be released sometime next year, which also stars Jason Statham as the cunning “Deckard Shaw.” -Khristian Ibarrola /ra