Dwayne Johnson used his star power, and social network presence to promote his latest project Rampage. He did an excellent job as the movie already earned its budget during its opening weekend. But things weren’t as rosy at the beginning of the production of this blockbuster. Johnson almost quit this film before it went into production.
The movie is a product of cooperation of Dwayne Johnson and Brad Peyton, who called Johnson world’s biggest action-star, and it revolves around primatologist Davis Okoye and giant albino gorilla George who goes on a rampage together with giant wolf and crocodile.
When People’s Champ was offered to star in this action-adventure, he was in from the start. But after reading the script till the end, he had a change of heart. The first version had a sad ending in which George dies after helping Johnson to save the world. The Rock, despite his nickname, a gentle soul was firmly against it: “So the script comes in, and I’m reading it. And at the end of it – George dies! I’m like, ‘No. Did I miss something? George can’t be dead.’ But I go back, and yeah.”
Johnson explained his stance. Former WWE wrestler turned actor knows himself and knows his audience. The movie with a sad ending was a big ‘no no,’ and the Fast & Furious star was clear about this: “I don’t like a sad ending. Life brings that sh*t – I don’t want it in my movies. When the credits roll, I want to feel great…We had a big meeting where they gave me all the reasons they thought George should die. He sacrifices himself saving the world. Killing these animals who had ill intentions to harm mankind. He sacrifices himself like a brave soldier. OK. But this is a movie! There’s a crocodile the size of a football stadium – we’re not making Saving Private Ryan.”
Dwayne is a global superstar, but he knows what brings the audience to see his movies. At this moment his brand revolves around pure action movies, spiced with a lot of adventure, with a comic touch here and there. Of course, Johnson is no stranger to making comedies. Dramas and movies with sad endings are not his things, at least not for now.
For all of you who haven’t see this film, this comes as a spoiler, as we know that George lives, and he and Johnson save the day. This is also a spoiler for all of his upcoming movies. In the end, The Rock always wins, so it’s not a surprise for anyone at this point.
