He may have steadily worked his way up to becoming one of the biggest and most popular stars in modern Hollywood, but Dwayne Johnson has been coming in for more criticism than ever before in recent times.
His box office drawing power and reputation as “Franchise Viagra” took a serious hit when his confidence turned into disaster in the aftermath of both DC League of Super-Pets and Black Adam flopping at the box office, in what was a huge personal and professional embarrassment given his teases of plenty more to come from both properties.
Retreating to the safety of a live-action Moana remake hinted he had no intention of even considering stepping outside of his comfort zone, while he’s doubled down on that sentiment by making the comeback he stated in no uncertain terms he would never even consider. His next blockbuster isn’t even going to see the inside of a theater, either, leading to questions over his legacy.
It’s admittedly a little played out at this point, but Dave Bautista served as the catalyst for the examination, with the fellow former WWE alumni going out of his way to work with the finest talents Hollywood has to offer, whereas The Rock almost exclusively stars in effects-heavy action/adventure flicks that he produces, where he’ll almost certainly play some variation of his stagnant onscreen persona.
A villainous turn or a dramatic role would go a long way to ensuring that Johnson is more than a one-trick pony, especially when his drawing power and star wattage are being called into question to an extent he’s never experienced during his two-decade stint in Hollywood.
Will he ever star in anything that achieves anywhere close to certifiable classic status? That’s up to him, but the evidence is beginning to stack up that “maybe not” will be the answer.