Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest, most bankable powerhouses Hollywood has to offer. He went from dominating the wrestling ring to becoming a superstar overnight but let’s be honest – the man needs more diversity in his portfolio. Sure, he has the face of a typical action hero but Dwayne Johnson can be so much more if given the chance. His upcoming films are good examples of that.
With the sequel and the live-action version of Moana plus The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson has the chance to prove to the world that he can take up roles that don’t rely heavily on his brawn. Will he finally be able to break the bounds of typecasting?
Dwayne Johnson’s Wasted Potential
Dwayne Johnson is one of the most charismatic men in Tinseltown but there’s no denying that he seems to be stuck in a rut. While his potential as a versatile actor is very evident, Hollywood is hell-bent on wasting it away with the tough guy roles that do no justice to his skills.
While he has tried to break the barriers before with performances in films like Pain & Gain and Fighting with My Family, they usually end up getting overshadowed by action-heavy roles.
Fans have had a problem with Johnson’s typecasting in Hollywood since time immemorial.
bro should just stick to WWE, I’m being so fr. https://t.co/89VDwR1J6P pic.twitter.com/QmPFZ4DIK4
— JOLLY J✨ (@DynamoSuperX) November 23, 2024
We can’t really blame casting directors, though. When you think of a typical action hero with big muscles and an intimidating personality who swoops in to save the day, Johnson is the first face that comes to our minds.
Of course, we aren’t saying we don’t love him in the roles he’s done but we sincerely hope there’s more to his filmography than just adrenaline-pumping action. And hey, who knows, his upcoming films just might change his trajectory in Hollywood!
Can Dwayne Johnson’s Next Films be Gamechangers?
When Johnson first showed up as Maui in Moana, it was a welcome and refreshing change of pace for his fans. Seeing him take over a flawed, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt role proved that he has the right skills, he just needs to be driven in the right direction.
From his comedic timing to his singing, Johnson flaunted it all in Moana and how. Now, he returns to the role in Moana 2 which is all set to be released in a couple of days. Actress Auliʻi Cravalho will also be reprising her role in the sequel as Moana and we simply cannot wait to see the duo in action once again.
Maui and Moana brace themselves for their next journey to the far seas of Oceania where they will attempt to undo a curse placed by god Nalo on a hidden island. The premise sounds absolutely captivating and if the trailer was any hint, the film is going to be mesmerizing!
Next year, Johnson will be seen in The Smashing Machine, a biographical sports drama based on the life of former wrestler and MMA fighter, Mark Kerr. The Red Notice actor will be playing the lead role in the film which also stars Emily Blunt and more.
A24 took the liberty of teasing fans with a first look. In the photo posted by the production company, Johnson is almost unrecognizable as he sits inside the ring dressed up as Kerr.
First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGV
— A24 (@A24) May 21, 2024
Needless to say, fans will get to see Johnson like never before! There is no specific release date tied to The Smashing Machine yet.
If these 2 films aren’t enough, Johnson will take on yet another challenging role – live-action Maui. The actor is all set to reprise his iconic role yet again but this time he won’t just be offering his voice to the character. The live-action Moana, set to be released on July 10, 2026, will see Johnson bring Maui to life, and honestly, who better than him? He and the demigod practically look the same! Unfortunately for the fans of Cravalho, actress Catherine Laga’aia will be playing live-action Moana.
Moana 2 will be released in theaters on November 27, 2024.
