While Hollywood has witnessed numerous professional wrestlers making successful transitions into acting, none have attained the level of success achieved by Dwayne Johnson. With over 70 acting/guest star credits, 20 producing credits, and even a writing credit, as stated on his Rotten Tomatoes page, Johnson’s versatile talents have left an indelible mark across various mediums, including films, television shows, video games, and beyond.
The numbers are bound to climb even higher as Johnson’s trajectory includes securing roles in blockbuster films while simultaneously managing his own production company, Seven Bucks Productions. With his films raking in billions at the box office and a massive social media following in the millions, it’s evident that there truly are millions of Rock fans.
Baywatch
It’s no surprise that they cast one of Hollywood’s most muscular actors for a film where everyone spends most of the time shirtless. In Baywatch, the 2017 movie adaptation of the ’90s television series, Johnson shares the screen with Zac Efron and Alexandra Daddario. Portraying the character Mitch Buchannon, he leads a team of lifeguards on a mission to save their beach from a dubious businesswoman.
While the movie offers some entertaining moments, it leans more towards being a typical action comedy rather than capturing the campy charm that fans cherished in the original Baywatch show.
The Game Plan
Dwayne Johnson took on his first leading role in a family-oriented film with the 2007 sports comedy, The Game Plan. In this heartwarming movie, Johnson portrays Joe Kingman, a professional quarterback who unexpectedly discovers that he has an eight-year-old daughter, Peyton Kelly, right at the beginning of a crucial playoff run.
The film showcases the great chemistry between Johnson and Madison Pettis, who portrays Peyton Kelly, making it a sweet and enjoyable watch. However, its storyline follows a predictable path and doesn’t venture into breaking any new ground in terms of its script.
Tooth Fairy
Although Dwayne Johnson faced some ridicule in the wrestling business for taking on family-oriented films, it is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to establish a name in Hollywood.
By the time the 2010 film Tooth Fairy came along, Johnson was steadily gaining momentum as an actor. In this movie, he portrays Derek Thompson, a hockey player who finds himself transformed into a tooth fairy as a consequence of dashing the dreams of his girlfriend’s son.
Doom
In the 2005 film Doom, Dwayne Johnson’s performance received rare criticism instead of praise. Playing the role of Sarge, the leader of a military team on a mission to Mars, Johnson faced negative reviews from critics.
The film, based on the video game series of the same name, was criticized for being unoriginal and lacking depth, with confusing action sequences. Reviewers noted that Johnson’s portrayal lacked his usual charisma, appearing humorless and less committed compared to his previous roles as an action star.
Southland Tales
While Southland Tales may not be Johnson’s lowest-rated film, for some, it could be considered the weakest on this list. The 2006 dystopian comedy boasts a star-studded cast, including Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mandy Moore, and Justin Timberlake.
Set in a post-nuclear attack Los Angeles, the film weaves together the lives of various characters, with Johnson portraying Boxer Santaros, a movie star with amnesia trying to get his next film made. Despite its promising premise and social commentary, the execution ends up being a messy and confusing jumble of ideas.
Planet 51
Before showcasing his voice-acting prowess in acclaimed films like Moana and DC League of Super-Pets, Johnson’s first foray into animated projects was in 2009 with Planet 51. In the film, Johnson lends his voice to Captain Chuck Baker, an astronaut who lands on an alien planet. The movie takes an extraterrestrial twist, presenting humans as the aliens in this alien world.
While the premise holds the potential for genre subversion, the film ultimately follows a familiar storyline reminiscent of the 1982 classic E.T. with roles reversed. Despite playing it safe with the plot, Planet 51 still manages to provide decent entertainment for both kids and adults.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
In the 2013 sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Johnson once again revitalizes a franchise, starring alongside Channing Tatum and Bruce Willis. However, G.I. Joe: Retaliation didn’t fare well with critics.
In the movie, Johnson portrays Roadblock, a heavy machine gunner inspired by the Hasbro action figure. The film delivers plenty of action, its primary selling point, but falls short in terms of storytelling, leaving the plot confusing and convoluted with minimal character development.
