Vin Diesel to Remain in ‘Fast & Furious’ Franchise After Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Vin Diesel’s journey in The Fast and the Furious isn’t over yet.

Diesel took to Instagram to speak out in his first public comments about his role in the action franchise since a former assistant accused him of sexual assault in a December lawsuit. He said the excitement of the “Fast” writers and production team about the final film in the saga was “extremely powerful” in an Instagram post Friday.

“As everyone headed into the weekend feeling empowered and excited, I thought of all of you…remembering the countless times your enthusiasm and passion have been the driving force behind our creative journey,” said Vin Diesel.

“Fast 11” is the sequel to last year’s “Fast X,” the tenth film in which Vin Diesel starred as Dominic “Dom” Torreto alongside Jason Momoa. “Fast 11” will be the final installment of the beloved film series.

“Your involvement in our saga has been exceptionally influential in its success and evolution… as my youngest daughter would say, it is profound,” the father of three told his 102 million Instagram followers.

Vin Diesel thanked “Fast & Furious” fans for their support in a statement.

“This grand finale is not just an ending; it is a celebration of the incredible family we have built together,” he said.

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The lawsuit against Vin Diesel accuses the actor of sexually harassing his assistant in 2010 during the filming of “Fast Five”

Documents obtained by USA TODAY show that in December Vin Diesel’s former assistant, Asta Jonasson, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in December 2010, accused the actor of sexual assault in the fall of 2010 during the filming of “Fast Five.”

The lawsuit states that Jonasson was hired by the actor’s production company One Race to work for him in various capacities, including organizing parties and accompanying Diesel to events and making sure she was nearby for photos if the actor appeared at events without his longtime girlfriend.

“We are proud to represent Ms. Jonasson and hold Vin Diesel and those who allowed and covered up his sexual assault accountable. The law exists to protect those who have been wronged, no matter how powerful or famous the accused is. Sexual harassment in the workplace will never end if powerful men are shielded from accountability,” a lawyer from Greenberg Gross, the firm representing Jonasson, said in a statement.

“This is the first he has ever heard of this 13-plus-year-old claim made by an alleged 9-day employee,” Freedman said in a statement. “There is clear evidence that completely disproves these absurd accusations.”

Contributions: Melissa Ruggieri, Bryan Alexander

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vin Diesel Continues ‘Fast & Furious’ After Sexual Assault Trial