All articles tagged with #dwayne johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson says he's pursuing music more seriously, executive-producing the Moana: Voices Across the Ocean album with wife Lauren Hashian and co-writing/performing the track 'Your Dad' for his daughters. He cites teenage dreams of country stardom and classic influences, framing the move as a personal, pressure-free endeavor that complements his acting career.
Dwayne Johnson says the live-action Moana is a source of pride despite mixed early reviews (32% on Rotten Tomatoes). He noted that in show business the response can swing, and that what mattered was the culture and Polynesian story shining through. The film has grossed about $266 million worldwide, and Disney signals strong potential for Moana on Disney+, with Johnson remaining supportive of the project.
Dwayne Johnson addressed the mixed critical reception to Disney's live-action Moana, noting early praised reviews cooled over time. The film grossed about $264 million worldwide on a reported $250 million budget, with a 31% critics score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Johnson emphasized the film’s cultural significance for Samoan audiences and urged audiences to focus on the larger lesson, saying, “If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” as he and his wife discussed the response and the varied critical reaction, including some positive notes from critics like THR’s David Rooney.
Dwayne Johnson defended the live-action Moana after critics delivered tepid reviews (31% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42% on Metacritic), saying he’s proud of the film and urging focus on what comes after opening weekend. Disney’s earnings call acknowledged softer-than-expected box office but framed the project as fueling broader franchise value, with Variety estimating the theatrical run could lose at least $100 million.
Deadline reports a new Jumanji: Open World trailer showing the core quartet’s avatars entering the real world in “demo mode,” with the third film slated for December 11, 2026. Jake Kasdan returns to direct, with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart leading a cast that also includes Rhys Darby and Nick Jonas as Sony continues the franchise based on Chris Van Allsburg’s book.
Sony releases the trailer for Jumanji: Open World, the third reboot in the franchise, reuniting Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan; Jake Kasdan returns to direct as the film moves to a Christmas release following the earlier box‑office hits that surpassed $1.7 billion.
Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Jumanji: Open World, the final installment in the Jumanji trilogy, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan. Directed by Jake Kasdan, the film follows the game’s heroes breaking free from the console and wreaking havoc in the real world, with a December 25, 2026 theatrical release. The cast also includes Nick Jonas, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Rhys Darby and Danny DeVito.
Disney's live-action Moana opened to a $95 million worldwide debut ($43 million domestic, $52 million international) on a $250 million budget, but critics dinged it with a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score while audiences gave mostly positive votes (63% would recommend; 78% of parents would recommend; CinemaScore A-). The tepid performance follows mixed results for the genre, with family-friendly titles like Minions & Monsters and Toy Story 5 crowding the market, hinting at a ceiling for PG-rated remakes. With Nolan’s The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day arriving next, July may yield headwinds but could boost August totals.
In Variety’s interview, Thomas Kail explains directing Disney’s Moana live-action, preserving Maui’s iconic hair and the tattoos via a skin-realistic suit, and tackling the ambitious “Where You Are” number with hundreds of dancers in stifling Hawaii heat, while framing the project as a revival-like process that honors the original story and characters and noting he doesn’t obsess over reviews.
At 19, Catherine Laga’aia makes her feature-film debut as Moana in Disney’s live-action remake, after beating out 32,000 applicants via an Instagram casting call; she discusses bringing her own take to the character, the Pacific Islander representation on Motunui, and the mix of nerves and excitement as she navigates sudden fame while learning from Dwayne Johnson and director Thomas Kail.
In a D23 Q&A ahead of Moana’s July 10 premiere, Catherine Lagaʻaia discusses embodying Moana in Disney’s live-action remake and the importance of authentic Pacific representation, while Dwayne Johnson explains Maui’s flesh-and-blood portrayal and the collaboration with director Thomas Kail and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda to honor Polynesian culture. The piece highlights the film’s large production scale (about 2,000 people involved) and previews exclusive CinemaCon portraits as the team aims to honor the animated film’s legacy while charting a fresh course for the live-action voyage.
Dwayne Johnson’s live-action Moana remake is drawing some of the worst reviews of his career, with critics slamming a near shot-for-shot re-creation, a lackluster performance (including a controversial “fright wig”) and a sense he’s on autopilot, while box-office projections signal a weak U.S. debut despite Disney’s blockbuster history for the franchise.
Dwayne Johnson will star in and produce the action-drama Free Byrd for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, playing a Las Vegas motorcycle stuntman who hides his dementia diagnosis as he risks one last jump; Greg Kwedar will direct and rewrite the screenplay, with Jon Boyer and earlier writers Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson contributing to earlier drafts, and Johnson joining as a producer alongside Kwedar, Clint Bentley and Gil Netter. Johnson also has other projects in development, including the live-action Moana remake and Jumanji: Open World.
A competent but essentially pointless live-action Moana that’s more CGI than cinema, with Dwayne Johnson delivering an on-auto-pilot performance; the film feels like monetised content rather than a fresh, engaging take, and a stage musical might have given the numbers more life.