Dwayne Johnson, The Ultimate Hollywood Star
The Rock | Utsah Pandey
Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, is perhaps Hollywood’s biggest star.
We know him in many facets, as the pro wrestler, producer, but most famously, as an actor. Why not call it as it is, he’s a blockbuster genius! What gives him this title? His comedic delivery and massive appeal allow him to make a killing in the movie biz. Most recently, his lead role in the video game adaptation Rampage (2018) shut down that long-lived precedent of video game flops.
“If [Dwayne] Johnson wants in on a project, is someone actually going to say no? How could you not like The Rock!”
If you’d ask any movie or gamer junkies, the merging of the two genres has a legendary curse upon them. Turning a video game into a movie has rarely worked in the box office. And although Rampage didn't receive the best of reviews, it has surpassed the $400 million mark at the global box office off a $120 million budget, so it’s not a complete dud. This makes it the biggest live-action video game adaptation hit in 17 years, after Lara Croft: Tomb Raider! Many believe the A-lister Dwayne Johnson plays a factor in this success. Did The Rock actually break the video game curse?
It’s hard to say. There are so many factors that play into success.
Yes, Rampage did well, and yet it still has 52% (a very average score) on Rotten Tomatoes. But, it landed in the top spot for highest average rating in the video game adaptation genre. Is Dwayne Johnson the key to a killer hit?
We can put The Rock on the same level as Arnold Schwarzenegger or John Cena. Their charisma, their rock-solid physique, and their global presence all connect with a worldwide audience. People are drawn to their characters and likability. If you hear the name John Cena, you automatically want to go see that film just because John Cena is in it. It’s the same way for Dwayne Johnson. If Johnson wants in on a project, is someone actually going to say no? How could you not like The Rock!
Being able to rake in money at the box office, movie after movie, varying in genre, is something not all famous actors can do. Hey, as movie watchers, we need to give the guy credit— he loves to have fun and make people laugh! What makes him such a “money making” star is a simple fact: he is a great entertainer.