WWE, formerly WWF, stands for World Wrestling Entertainment, which is an American professional wrestling promotion and a part of TKO Group Holdings. WWE is the largest and most successful pro wrestling promotion in the world, with a rich and diverse history that spans over seven decades. There are many WWE players who have successfully transitioned from wrestling to acting, appearing in various genres of movies, such as action, comedy, drama, and horror. Some of the most famous and successful. One of them is “The Rock”, Dwayne Johnson ‘s nickname.
He is one of the biggest movie stars in the world, starring in blockbuster franchises like “Fast & Furious”, “Jumanji”, and “Black Adam”. Did you also know, Dwayne Johnson was the second choice actor to play Willy Wonka in Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005)? But he lost the role to Johnny Depp.
Many people know that before he became famous as he is today, Johnson’s first film appearance was in The Mummy Returns (2001). Where he played Mathayus or The Scorpion King. An evil warrior who was resurrected as a scorpion monster. He has brief roles at the beginning and end of the film, and his dialogue is mostly in ancient Egyptian. Although previously he had also played in the television series Star Trek: Voyager.
The Scorpion King character was later spun off into a standalone film. The Scorpion King (2002), which was Dwayne Johnson’s first starring role in a film. The film is a prequel that shows the origin story of Mathayus and how he became the legendary Scorpion King. In this film, Dwayne Johnson accidentally knocked out his co-star Michael Clarke Duncan while filming a fight scene. Johnson’s elbow collided with Duncan’s chin so hard that it rendered him unconscious.
Personal Life
Dwayne Johnson was born into a wrestling family, as his father Rocky Johnson and his grandfather Peter Maivia were both professional wrestlers. He also played football in high school and college, and he was part of the University of Miami’s national championship team in 1991. In recognition of his service to the Samoan people. And because he is descended from a Samoan chief, Johnson had the title of Seiuli bestowed on him by Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Become an Artist
Dwayne Johnson was cast as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns (2001). After the director Stephen Sommers saw him on TV as a professional wrestler. Sommers was impressed by Johnson’s charisma and physical presence. And thought he would be perfect for the role of a fearsome warrior. Sommers contacted Johnson’s agent and offered him the part, which Johnson accepted without hesitation. Johnson was excited to make his film debut and work with Sommers, who was a fan of his wrestling persona, The Rock.
However, Johnson’s casting was not without challenges. He had to balance his wrestling schedule with his filming schedule. Which required him to travel back and forth between different locations. He also had to undergo intensive training and learn how to wield a sword and ride a camel. And to endure hours of makeup and prosthetics to transform into the Scorpion King, especially for the final scene where he appears as a CGI scorpion monster.
Despite these difficulties, Johnson enjoyed his experience and was grateful for the opportunity. He said that he learned a lot from Sommers and his co-stars, especially Brendan Fraser, who was supportive and helpful. He also said that he was proud to be part of a successful and entertaining movie, and that he hoped to continue his acting career.
His Movie Lists
To this day he has many appeared in over 40 movies since his debut in 2001. Some of his most popular and successful movies. Such as The Fast & Furious franchise. He plays Luke Hobbs, a federal agent who joins forces with Dominic Toretto and his crew to stop various threats. He first appeared in Fast Five (2011) and has since starred in four more sequels and a spin-off, Hobbs & Shaw (2019).
The Jumanji franchise, he plays Dr. Smolder Bravestone, an archaeologist and adventurer who is the avatar of Spencer Gilpin in the video game world of Jumanji. He starred in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and its sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). Moana in 2016, he voices Maui, a demigod who helps Moana, a young Polynesian princess, to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island. He also sings the song “You’re Welcome” in the movie.
Black Adam Backstage
Do you still remember the antihero film “Black Adam”? Dwayne Johnson has always been fascinated by the character. A powerful and complex antihero from the DC Comics universe. He first learned about him when he was a child, reading comic books with his father and grandfather, who were both professional wrestlers. He admired Black Adam’s strength, charisma, and code of honor. And he dreamed of playing him on the big screen someday. In 2014, Johnson finally announced that he would play Black Adam in a Shazam movie, after years of negotiations and development.
He was excited to bring the character to life, and he worked closely with the director, the writers, and the producers to craft a compelling and faithful adaptation. He also underwent rigorous training and preparation, both physically and mentally, to embody the role. The Black Adam movie began filming in 2021, after being delayed by the pandemic. Johnson shared his enthusiasm and passion for the project on social media, posting pictures and videos from the set. He also teased some of the epic scenes and action sequences that the fans could expect from the movie.
He promised that the movie would be a game-changer for the superhero genre. And that it would showcase Black Adam’s origin, motivation, and evolution. Johnson hopes that the movie will fulfill his childhood dream, and that it will inspire and entertain the audiences around the world.
