Vin Diesel stays with ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise after sexual assault lawsuit

Vin Diesel’s “Fast and Furious” ride is not over yet.

Diesel spoke publicly on Instagram about his role in the action film series for the first time since a former assistant accused him of sexual assault in a lawsuit in December. In an Instagram post on Friday, he said the enthusiasm of the writers and production team of the “Fast” series for the final film in the saga was “incredibly strong.”

“As everyone excitedly headed into the weekend, I found myself thinking of all of you… and remembering the countless moments when your excitement and passion became the driving force behind our creative journey,” said Vin Diesel.

Fast 11 follows last year’s Fast X, the tenth film in the franchise that starred Vin Diesel as Dominic “Dom” Torreto alongside Jason Momoa. Fast 11 will be the final installment in the popular film series.

“Her commitment to our saga has had a unique impact on her success and development… as my youngest daughter would say, it’s profound,” the father of three told his 102 million Instagram followers.

In the statement, Vin Diesel thanked the “Fast and Furious” fans for their support.

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

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson explains end after feud with Vin Diesel, will be seen in the next “Fast and Furious”

Lawsuit against Vin Diesel: Actor allegedly sexually harassed his assistant during the filming of “Fast Five” in 2010

In December, Vin Diesel’s former assistant Asta Jonasson alleged in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in December that the actor sexually assaulted her in the fall of 2010 while filming “Fast Five,” according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

According to the lawsuit, Jonasson was hired by the actor’s production company, One Race, to work for him in a variety of capacities, including organizing and chaperoning Diesel’s parties and making sure she was nearby in photos when the actor attended 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 harassment accountable. The law exists to protect those who have been wronged, no matter how powerful or famous the accused. Sexual harassment in the workplace will never stop if powerful men are shielded from accountability,” an attorney from Greenberg Gross, the firm representing Jonasson, said in a statement.

“This is the first time he has heard of this more than 13-year-old claim from an alleged 9-day employee,” Freedman said in a statement. “There is clear evidence that completely refutes these absurd allegations.”

Contributors: Melissa Ruggieri, Bryan Alexander

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vin Diesel to continue ‘Fast and Furious’ after sexual assault lawsuit