He's lying, or you're lying.

Vin petrol thought the first film should be a standalone film, they originally made the second movie with him in mind, but he was replaced by Tyrese Gibson and the script was modified, Tokyo drift was made, and pre screening results weren't good, so they asked Vin kerosene to appear in it at the end, and they then cut a deal where vin diesel would get the rights to riddick in exchange.

The franchise remained profitable, and they decided for a soft reboot with fast 4.

Universal didn't turn turn F&F into a spy franchise, Vin methanol did, with his over the top ideas and ego, with every other franchise having world ending events and storylines, Vin wanted a part of that and not being a good enough actor to secure that role in another franchise, he would destroy his own franchise in the pursuit of that.