If this weekend’s Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw has anything to say, it’s that Dwayne Johnson is as charming as he is brawny. Whether either counts as an actual superpower is up for debate, but according to two Marvel directors, the wrestler-turned-actor is the closest thing we have to a real-life Avenger.
A few months ago, Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo revealed that if they had the choice to cast Dwayne Johnson in any MCU role, they’d choose to let him play himself:
“The superhero that I would most like The Rock to play is The Rock. He is the best version of him.”
Admittedly, this is a bit of a cop-out answer, but rumors have been floating around for a bit that Marvel and Dwayne Johnson may be interested in working together, and the directors might not want to tip their hat on which roles are up for grabs. Now, the Rock has weighed in on joining the MCU himself, and it sounds like he’s more than comfortable just playing the People’s Champ:
“I think I would have to, that’s the thing. And I appreciate the Russo Brothers. I’ve known those guys for a long time and I appreciate the compliment and we would have to see… So, basically what they’re saying is, is I don’t need a cape. Basically what they said, I could be the leader of the Marvel universe. That’s my interpretation.”
It really speaks to Johnson’s carefully crafted persona that he could say something like “I don’t need a cape,” and instead of coming off as arrogant, he instead sounds just so damn delightful. Although, word on the street is if the Rock wants a leadership position amongst Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, he’s going to have to go toe-to-toe with Captain Marvel to earn it.
That being said, Dwayne Johnson has long been attached to star in a Black Adam movie in the rivaling DCEU. While we still don’t really know what’s happening with that, it may be further proof that it’s going to be a while before he links up with the MCU. Until then, you can see him delve out kick ass sans cape in Hobbs & Shaw, in theaters now.