Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as ‘The Rock’, has carved a niche for himself in Hollywood with his roles as tough, invincible heroes.
From Disney’s Moana to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Black Adam, Johnson’s characters are renowned for their resilience and strength. However, there is a little-known fact that contributes to this consistent portrayal of his characters.
Johnson’s most recognized role is arguably Agent Luke Hobbs in the Fast and Furious franchise. These high-octane action films are replete with fight scenes where the stars, including Johnson, never seem to lose.
This peculiar detail is not a mere coincidence but a result of a specific clause in their contracts.
DWAYNE JOHNSON ONCE SAID:
A lot of Problems can be solved just by removing some foods, some people and some habits from your life. pic.twitter.com/RwDy70gQKD— Mfalme 👑🇹🇿 (@ommyfitness) October 8, 2023
According to the Wall Street Journal, this clause restricts how ‘badly’ the actors can be beaten up on screen. This revelation provides an intriguing insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of Hollywood and how actors can influence their on-screen portrayals.
Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto in the same franchise, reportedly developed a system where he assigned a numerical value to each punch he received while on screen. He even had a producer count the number of punches he took in each fight scene to ensure it aligned with the contract.
Following suit, Johnson and Jason Statham, who plays Deckard Shaw, also incorporated this clause into their contracts. The Wall Street Journal reported Statham negotiated an agreement with the studio that limits how badly he can be beaten up on screen.
Similarly, Johnson enlisted producers, editors, and fight coordinators to ensure he always gives as good as he gets.
Internet undefeated 👏🏾😂#sybau pic.twitter.com/UizyvPU1BI
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 3, 2023
In one instance, Johnson even had a script for The Fate of the Furious tweaked so he was sitting up instead of lying down after a brawl. According to a video by Charles Peralo on TikTok, Johnson still maintains the ‘no lose’ clause in his movie contracts.
However, this clause sparked some debate among fans. Some argue that it makes the plot predictable and creates characters that audiences cannot relate to. Despite these criticisms, Johnson’s popularity remains undiminished.
Before his successful transition to Hollywood, Johnson was a famous figure in WWE as ‘The Rock’. His recent surprise appearance on SmackDown, his first since 2019, broke social media viewing records, further cementing his status as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s unbeatable characters are not just a product of his physical prowess or acting skills, but also a result of carefully negotiated contract clauses. This revelation provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of Hollywood and how actors can shape their on-screen personas.
