Dwayne Johnson is no stranger to franchise films and big studio tentpole movies. He has been in some of the most successful franchises in Hollywood including G.I Joe, Fast and The Furious, Jumanji, and even the DC Universe. His biggest successes in his career have been in these franchises and thus have made him a global movie star. His inclusion in a film guarantees a boost for the film’s potential for success at the box office.
One of the most well-known franchises is Transformers. It is a major moneymaker for Paramount. Actor Mark Wahlberg made his debut in the franchise with the fourth film in the series Transformers: Age of Extinction. The film became the second-highest-grossing film of the franchise at $1.1 billion. But one may be surprised to know that Johnson was initially offered the role of Cade Yeager, played by Wahlberg.
Dwayne Johnson Rejected The Offer to Star In Transformers: Age of Extinction
Mark Wahlberg went on to star in the Michael Bay-directed Transformers: Age of Extinction in 2014. The film was a soft reboot of the series as none of the previous main human characters played by Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel appeared in the film and many new Transformers were added. Wahlberg played Cade Yeager, a mechanic who discovers a Transformer disguised as a damaged truck. Fans will be surprised to know that the role of Cade Yeager was originally offered to Dwayne Johnson.
This was confirmed by the actor himself (on X) when a fan asked him about being in a Transformers film.
Michael Bay offered me Transformers, but I was unavailable due to Hercules. Then Wahlberg was offered the role. #RockTalk @Nadydi
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 26, 2013
It would have been interesting to see how Johnson would have fared in the Transformers world. He certainly would have brought his natural charm and wit to his character and provided an entertaining element to the film.
Mark Wahlberg Earned Handsome Paychecks Leading Two Transformers Films
Mark Wahlberg reprised his role of Cade Yeager in the 2017 sequel Transformers: The Last Knight. Wahlberg’s involvement in both films brought in his star power and appeal and helped audiences flock to the theatre to watch the films. Thus, he received a huge paycheck for each film. For Transformers: Age of Extinction, he earned $17 million (according to Statistic Brain) which was the highest paycheck he had ever received up till that point.
He one upped himself and received a staggering $40 million for Transformers: The Last Knight (according to The Hollywood Reporter) which is a historic pay for an actor in a film. The film itself was a box office disappointment but Wahlberg got his due and happily earned his sum without worrying much about the outcome of the film.
Wahlberg’s tenure in the Transformers franchise with Transformers: Age of Extinction and Transformers: The Last Knight can be streamed on Netflix.
Sources: X, Statistic Brain, The Hollywood Reporter
