The Rock
courtesy of Paramount Pictures
"The Next Action Hero"

ATLANTA: For those of us who don't follow professional wrestling, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson seems to have come out of nowhere and ended up a movie star. He was first seen in "The Mummy Returns" and then segued into "The Scorpion King." Now he is a full-fledged modern day action hero in "The Rundown."

It was because of this film that I got to sit down and talk with him recently in Atlanta. When I entered the room he was already seated so I never got to see how big he is. Seated, he appears to be normal body size just like a million other people. But rumor has it that when he stands up he is massive.

My first question concerned what I should call him. Should it be Mr. Rock, just plain Rock, The, or what? "You can call me Rock, or Dwayne, or DJ, anything," he answered. 

"Really, anything?" I questioned.

"Yes, anything," he said, and after a few seconds added, "and I'll let you know if it makes me mad."

From that point on I made a mental note to call him Mr. Rock. You certainly don't want a professional wrestler angry with you. Still Mr. Rock does seem like a gentle soul who is supremely grateful for his movie career. This was evident when I asked him about Arnold Schwarzenegger's cameo in the movie.

"Wasn't that great," he said. "We asked and he said sure. Now everyone is saying it seems like he is telling me I am taking his role as the action hero. You know sort of a passing of the torch from him to me."

"The Rundown" is directed by Peter Berg, the star of "Chicago Hope" and "The Last Seduction." He also directed the quirky "Very Bad Things," a movie that has developed a cult following.

"I didn't know if he would want to direct this movie," said the Rock. "I mean I didn't know if he would want to direct me in a movie, so I was pretty nervous when we met. I had on a hat because I had bad bed hair."

"While I talked to him he just stared at the hat," he continued. "Finally he reached over and took it off and asked me if I would cut my hair. I said sure, and that was it. He was in."

When we met for this interview the Rock's hair was sheared close to the scalp. It seems like he went overboard to please Berg. Or maybe it is for his next film "Walking Tall."

"Yes, we are going to remake the Buford Pusser story," he told me. "We can't call the character Buford Pusser but it is going to be the same story as the first movie big stick and all."

There is also a rumor that the Rock is going to make a movie about the early king of Hawaii, but he didn't mention that possibility. He just wanted me to know he was happy with "The Rundown" and had his fingers crossed it would succeed. 

It is a good bet it will. The Rock seems to be a natural actor, and he has surrounded himself with a respected director and a solid supporting cast. "The Rundown" should be the kick-off to a career that could match or even outshine Arnold's. 

Remember I said that, Mr. Rock.

 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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