MovieChat Forums > Rampage (2018) Discussion > Does Dwayne Johnson deliberately pick th...

Does Dwayne Johnson deliberately pick the silliest scripts he can find?


I thought "San Andreas" was the goofiest script he could find, but it's not nearly as ridiculous as "Rampage"!

So does Johnson deliberately pick up bad scripts and tell the writers to add more and more improbable events? I mean if that's what audiences expect from him, well, a brand is a brand.

reply

The guy’s the McDonald’s of movie stars. Lowest common denominator all the way, meaning, that’s his APPEAL, it’s not who he IS. I think he’s a very shrewd and likeable guy who has made the most of his assets and who feels bad all the way to the bank. Every generation of movie stars needs its Enkidu, the prototypical Manly Man/Wildman from the Mesapotamian story, Gilgamesh, the oldest recorded story in human history. Arnold Schwarzenegger filled that role for a long time. Now it’s Johnson’s turn. Imagine how Jason Mamoa must chafe at being the Stallone to Johnson’s Arnie! At least it’s good to know there is still an entertainment market demand for alpha males, and not demand only for kappa males like Sam Worthington and Chris Pratt. I watched Rampage last night, and, to my surprise, enjoyed it! I liked George the gorilla very much. I was fully aware of how manipulative the script was, and liked him anyway. I LOVE wolves, so that character worked for me. I find wolves to be a more admirable species than we humans. They mate for life, they take care of their offspring, they all know their place in their society, they have no crime, and they never kill for sport. And I love alligators. The movie was stupid, contrived, manipulative and commercial. If someone like John Ceda’d been cast in the lead, the film would not have sold itself to me. Otter, you may be right. Dwayne might influence how his films are made. He has the BO clout to do that. He seems to have the golden common touch that makes for long careers, and possibly for some very serious movies as his career winds down and the only one whom he needs to please is himself. It’s just possible that Dwayne could follow in the footsteps of another Enkidu actor, who started out on a TV cowboy show, became an action star who no one took seriously as an actor, made lowbrow comedies and seemingly right-wing cop movies, started directing his movies, and became as big a star as Hollywood as ever seen: Clint Eastwood.

reply

Its possible that Jason Momoa may have the better career in the long run, as he's a better actor and significantly hotter that Johnson. Although "Aquaman" looks just as goofy as the standard Dwayne Johnson movie, and hopefully it'll be as fun or more fun. Because yeah, my high-stress job offers me enough intelligent complex drama in real life, that it's taught me to really appreciate stupid fun at the movies!

One thought: Theres always a demand for as alpha males in Hollywood, as well as a demand for everyman types like Pratt, etc. Johnson and Momoa can have healthy careers, and so can Pratt, as well as Steve Carrell and Ezra Miller. But about 90% of roles for women still call for the hot young thing.

reply

As stupid as what I’m about to say may sound: The CW Network is running promos for Aquaman teasers within the upcoming DC three-series Crossover Event (Flash/Arrow/Supergirl) next week that promises to show that Mamoa has an actual personality. I’ve only seen him
in Wolves, whose unrated version I bought on Blu-Ray, so now you know what slime I am, but I saw Johnson in the sequel to Get Shorty, and he can act. This is a question, not a confrontation: Why do you think Mamoa is the better actor? Please educate me. Thank you.

PS While I’ve no problem with hot young women, I’ve much more interest and respect in hot older woman, e.g., Kate Beckinsale, Monica Bellucci, Isabella Rosslini and Michelle Yeoh. Not only do I find mature women to be more interesting, I believe that aging well is life’s second-greatest challenge, after leaving a legacy. I hope that ladies feel the same for us gentlemen!

reply

I've mainly seen Momoa in "Game of Thrones", and Johnson in the goofball action movies I've brought up, which means that I've seen Momoa do real acting and not Johnson. FYI Momoa was very good, and I can't say the same of Johnson from what I've seen of him. You could easily be right about Johnson being capable of better than his usual schtick (trying to keep a straight race in very silly movies), but I can't stay I'm inclined to take him seriously enough to look up his more serious efforts.

Which doesn't mean that I expect Momoa to give a good performance in "Aquaman", from here it looks like one of those movies that just wouldn't work with real acting.


And I agree that mature women are usually more interesting than young ones, and it's a bit irritating that so few roles are available to the ladies who've taken the time to learn their craft.

reply

All the more reason to respect and admire Hellen Mirren. She keeps getting roles and acting up a storm in them.

reply

We can agree about admiring and respecting Helen Mirren!

She not only deserves every award she ever received for her best work, she's one of those rare actors who'd SO good that she can elevate godawful material! Personally, I think that's one of the rarest and most valuable skills an actor can have, proof of absolute mastery of their craft.

Of course Johnson also elevates godawful material in his own special way, but I still can't call him a master of his craft.

reply

People like to see beautiful people in their movies? who would have though. Plenty of mature actresses that kick ass too, so i disagree on your claim of 90% being hot young thing.

reply

Maybe, but it sure as hell worked for his career. Hes making a profitable movie after profitable movie (Jumanji was raking in cash too), so clearly whatever his method is - its good for him.

And to be honest, his acting fits these scripts very well.

reply

He's offered big pay packets including commission. He made 89.4 million in one year. He's the highest paid actor.

He's not in show business to win an Oscar, he likes being the number 1, he likes the "business" side of things.

reply