The Mummy Returns (2001) / The Scorpion King (2002)
At the beginning of his film career, Johnson was already a wrestling legend – he successfully competed in the WWE for 8 years, was a 10-time world champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, had an army of millions of fans . And he could even boast of a pencil test: his autobiography “The Rock Speaks” was published in 2000. With such an impressive record of success in Hollywood, it’s no surprise that Johnson walked through the front door and wasn’t humble in his ambitions.
On the big screen, the athlete made his debut in the genre of adventure movies: He played the Scorpion King in the sequel to The Mummy and the prequel to the solo franchise. If the cost of the first film was not disclosed, Johnson received $ 5.5 million for The Scorpion King – an impressive amount for a newcomer to the world of big cinema.
Still from the movie “The Mummy Returns” (2001)
Universal Pictures
“Amazon Treasure” (“Ruined”), 2003
The success of the first two films helped Johnson stay in the adventure film genre, which has traditionally competed for big box office and mainstream audience attention. If critics had questions about “Amazon Treasure”, it was difficult to fault Johnson’s screenshot: yes, yesterday’s athlete did not give a sky-high acting performance, but he was clearly aware of it. The talents were organic in the chosen screen role, and there was more to a lack of experience than veiled by natural charm.
And yes, in the third movie, Johnson’s fee rose to $12.5 million – an amount that even a venerable artist sometimes can’t raise.
Still from the movie “Amazon Treasure” (2003)
Universal Pictures
“The Long Walk”, 2004
Tired of running around Egypt and the tropics, Johnson switched to an action movie about the here and now. Walking Tall is a remake of the 1973 movie of the same name about a retired commando who returns to the city of his youth and recruits him from the local mafia.
The painting didn’t stand out much in the genre, but it proved that Johnson could pull off average projects alone and put $15 million in his pocket.
Filmed from The Long Walk (2004)
Hyde Park Entertainment
“Second Chance” (“Gridiron Gang”), 2006
Dwayne Johnson’s first really serious role. “Second Chance” is a partially true-to-life story about the overseer of a colony for teenagers who create a successful football club from their wards.
In this job, it was impossible for Johnson to hide behind a mountain of muscle or laugh. But the risk paid off: the actor still remained within the framework of the local sports theme, but it was a powerful sports drama about believing in yourself and overcoming other people’s prejudices.
Shot from the movie “Second Chances” (2006)
Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.
“Fast and Furious 5” (“Fast Five”), 2011
Johnson kicks off the new decade with some trump cards – joining the family of the Fast & Furious car series. The actor played the role of the on-screen rival of the hero Vin Diesel, the elite special agent Luke Hobbs.
Like all subsequent parts of the series, Fast and Furious 5 is a simple but effective movie where the action overshadows the weakness of the plot. In the form of a stern enforcer, Johnson fits perfectly into the world of history.
Frame from the movie “Fast and the Furious 5” (2011)
original movie
“Journey 2: Mysterious Island” (“Journey 2: Mysterious Island”), 2012
Johnson’s return to tropical and adventure cinema, where he had a very successful start on his acting path. Journey 2 is a sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth starring Brendan Fraser and a standalone adaptation of Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island.
Johnson played the role of the hero’s stepfather, who embarks on exciting adventures with his stepson and forges difficult personal relationships along the way. With a budget of $79 million, the movie grossed nearly $350 million at the worldwide box office. Johnson is back on horseback (or a dinosaur if we’re talking about the magical world of history).
Frame from the movie “Journey 2: Mysterious Island” (2012)
New Line Cinema
“Blood and Sweat: Anabolics” (“Pain and Gain”), 2013
Comfortable for Johnson, but provocative for the audience, a black comedy by Michael Bay (who loves the same camera opening and bottom-up angles) is about two sports-losers who commit a series of brutal kidnappings, extortions, tortures, and murders in 1995. The sharpness of the plot was given by the fact that the picture was based on a true story, the film itself repeatedly reminded the viewer the entire time.
Johnson worked again with Mark Wahlberg, who had previously crossed paths on the Adam McKay comedy Cops in Deep Reserve. It turned out to be a stark, testosterone-filled movie about bad people with bad thoughts who are punished for their crimes in Dostoevsky’s best traditions.
Frame from the movie “Blood and Sweat: Anabolics” (2013)
Paramount Pictures
“San Andreas Breakdown” (“San Andreas”), 2015
Pranks and jokes are fine, but a movie about a classic American hero who jumps into fire, water and at the helm of a helicopter is better. In Brad Peyton’s blockbuster, Johnson played the role of a rescue pilot who must fulfill his professional and personal duty during a terrible earthquake: saving the civilian population and finding his daughter in general chaos.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, but at the same time, it initially didn’t seem to claim anything more. And let the moviegoers hand out hazelnuts to the authors of the tape, the latter certainly being consoled by worldwide fees of $500 million.
Shot from the movie “San Andreas” (2015)
New Line Cinema
“Footballers” (“Ballers”), TV series, 2015–2019
Tired of plunging into burning buildings and dodging unseen monsters, Johnson took on a new challenge: He decided to study where external dynamics lead to internal heat. “Football Players” chronicles the brash underside of American football, and the plot is built around a failed NFL player trying with all his might to break into the world of big sports and stay there.
The series not only highlighted Johnson’s already bright star, but also ignited a new name: John David Washington, son of Denzel Washington, who retired from professional sports, made his debut as an actor on this project. Then there was Nolan’s Argument and Levinson’s Malcolm and Marie.
Frame from the series “Footballers” (2015-2019)
$7 Productions
“Moana” (“Moana”), 2016
The second experience of voicing Johnson (the first was the cartoon “Planet 51”, where the demigod Maui spoke with the voice of the actor). When leaving their father, Johnson did not hide that he agreed to participate in the project for the sake of his young children, who could open a cartoon with his participation and recognize the parent by voice.
By the way, Maui Johnson was chosen for the role of the Polynesian god, not only because of his impressive size, but also because of his mother’s ancestry. For his services to the Samoan people and his distant relationship with Samoan chiefs, Johnson was awarded the title of Seiuli from Tanumafili II of Malietoa.
Frame from the cartoon “Moana” (2016)
Walt Disney Pictures
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
From a lost island in the Pacific Ocean – straight into the jungle of Jumanji’s fantasy world. The sequel to the classic movie starring Robin Williams was less poignant and intimate, but a pretty good bonus.
The film grossed under $1 billion at the box office and became one of the most successful in Johnson’s career. Moreover, a year before that, the very embarrassing and disastrous “Saviors of Malibu” came out, which shook Johnson’s seemingly indestructible position.
Still from the movie “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017)
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)
“Fighting With My Family”, 2019
For almost 20 years of his acting career, Johnson deliberately tried to avoid the subject of wrestling, but in Fighting My Family, the actor gave up. At the same time, Johnson played himself in the movie.
A touching photograph of Stephen Merchant is also a hymn to both his family and his dreams outside of those closest to him.
Frame from the movie “Fighting My Family” (2019)
$7 Productions
“Jungle Walk”, 2021
Johnson’s return to the big studio cinema for the whole family. Like Pirates of the Caribbean once upon a time, Jungle Cruise is based on an attraction at Disneyland. The actor played a rogue ship captain who makes a living by deftly managing not only his ship but also the people around him.
Of course, all that arrogance is knocked out by newcomer companions in the person of Emily Blunt and Jack Whitehall, and together they will have to test their strength and friendship for intimacy.
Frame from the movie “Jungle Cruise” (2021)
Walt Disney Pictures
“Young Rock” (“Young Rock”), drama, 2021–…
“Young Rock” is actually a monument without an ounce of narcissism. The series ironically, compassionately and wittyly chronicles Johnson’s rise in Hollywood, from a little-known wrestler to one of the highest paid (he joined the ranks of his 2018 title achievements) actors.
Poster of the drama “Young Rock” (2021)
universal television
Black Man (2022)
Johnson’s upcoming superhero solo movie from the DC Universe, where he plays the role of Shazam’s super villain and antagonist, Black Adam, who after 500 years in prison decides to take on his nemesis.
For Johnson, this project is unique for two reasons: He finally got his own personal superhero (perhaps the main sign of true success in Hollywood these days) and also portrayed a character who was the one hundred percent opposite of his usual characters. fierce villain.
The film’s director, Jaume Collet-Serra, has already collaborated with Johnson on Jungle Cruise, and it’s interesting to see how he will work with the actor’s charisma to turn his natural charms into hideous evil.
Frame from the movie “Black Man” (2022)
Warner Bros. pictures
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.