Another live-action Disney adaptation is headed our way, as Moana is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar in just a couple of weeks. Some are undoubtedly excited about seeing the best Moana songs sung on the big screen again as the titular Disney princess answers the call of the ocean. However, many have been preoccupied with something you don’t typically think about with Disney movies — nipples, and specifically The Rock’s apparent lack thereof.

Ever since the live-action Moana trailer dropped, fans have apparently been staring at Dwayne Johnson’s chest, with much conjecture about whether he has nipples. He was even asked about it while doing press for the movie, and it was obvious he wasn’t too happy about this being such a big topic of conversation. Johnson told Pedestrian TV:

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson never lost his charming smile when answering the question, and there’s no way he can blame the interviewer for asking, because this is actually a topic that came up even with the animated version of Moana. So The Rock was game, and hopefully his explanation will put the debate to bed. He said:

When you woke up today, you probably weren’t expecting to read about The Rock discussing his areolas, were you? What can I say except, “You’re welcome”?

If you do, in fact, want to heed Dwayne Johnson’s advice and take a closer look at the Moana trailer, please be my guest:

This project is one that Dwayne Johnson has been excited about since the live-action Moana was announced, so I can see why it would be disheartening that any of the narrative is about his body and not the movie itself. Still, I’d hate to have deprived the Internet of the thoughtful commentary this topic has inspired on Reddit:

• WHAT CAN I SAY I HAVE NO NIPPLES – TheEdgeofGoon
• Apparently Dwayne had his nipples surgically removed for this role. He truly cares about the art of acting. – Various_Research_436
• A god has no such need for mammalian milkers – jjman2313

Regardless of your interest level in The Rock’s nipples, you will be able to see him as Maui and Catherine Laga'aia as Moana when the upcoming Disney movie crashes into theaters on Friday, July 10.

Dwayne Johnson has had a ton of major career highs, from becoming one of WWE’s biggest stars to headlining billion-dollar movie franchises like the Jumanji series. But before he became a movie calendar staple, there was The Mummy Returns, a movie that helped launch him as a film actor and also gave the internet one of its favorite CGI punching bags. And now, the former WWE star is getting real about that viral Scorpion King VFX moment, and it's amazing.

Just recently, Johnson revisited the infamous Scorpion King sequence from the 2001 Brendan Fraser movie. The moment comes during the finale, when Mathayus returns as a giant scorpion-human creature. It has become one of the most famous examples of early-2000s VFX aging badly, and the star behind the VFX clearly knows it. As he put it during an interview posted to Esquire's Instagram account:

That is a very Rock answer. He can laugh at the moment, call it what it is and still give credit to the artists who were trying to make it work. Honestly, that balance is what makes the quote land. The effect does look rough, and everyone knows it looks rough. But what's great is that Johnson is not throwing the VFX team under a sand crawler. Unfortunately, the team was hit with something that's plagued visual effects artists for decades: not a short timetable.

That tracks with what Brendan Fraser previously said about the same scene. Fraser even told The Rock during a one-on-one conversation about how even the CGI team wasn't happy how the scene came out. But, according to Fraser, "it’s charming in its own way." The Rick O'Connell actor said he met members of the CGI team at the movie’s premiere and congratulated them, only for them to admit they needed more time.

Fraser also joked that the final creature looks like something out of an early video game, which seemingly adds to its nostalgic appeal. That feels pretty accurate. The Scorpion King at the end of The Mummy Returns does not exactly look like a real person fused with a giant scorpion. I'd more so liken it to something that wandered out of a PlayStation loading screen and somehow made it into a major Universal blockbuster.

Still, Johnson’s larger point is important. As goofy as that moment has become, it changed his life. Not only was The Mummy Returns his first major movie role, but it also led directly to The Scorpion King, his first starring vehicle. I bet plenty of actors would kill for a career lowlight that also opens the door to becoming one of the biggest stars in some of the best action movies.

There's also something oddly fitting about Johnson’s Hollywood career beginning with a meme-ready digital monster. Even buried under some truly cursed CGI, the charisma still broke through, and audiences and studios could see there was something there. And that, to me, is what makes the man a true star.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's next big screen outing is his reprisal of the role of Maui in Disney's live-action Moana, which lands in theaters on July 10.

While the comic book genre has been thriving for over a decade, it was more of a risk when the OG X-Men movies hit theaters. Hugh Jackman became a household name for starring as Wolverine, and is known for getting ripped for those movies (which are streaming with a Disney+ subscription). It turns out that he once called The Rock for workout advice... and then got made fun of for his version of a cheat meal.

Dwayne Johnson a wrestler turned actor who has become a bankable movie star, bringing his hulking physicality to each role. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Jackman confirmed he went to The Rock for advice on getting fit for Wolverine. He told the story by saying the following:

Honestly, this sounds like a pretty cool moment. While Dwayne Johnson offering fitness advice is already a pinch-me moment, the fact that he put his filming schedule aside to help Hugh Jackman is even more thrilling. Clearly it's something that has stuck with the Greatest Showman star, who looks thoroughly yoked every time he plays Wolverine. I guess we have to thank The Rock for helping him get there.

The Tooth Fairy was released back in 2010, in the earlier days of Johnson's tenure as an A-list movie star. By that point Jackman has already starred in the original X-Men trilogy, and wanted to get especially jacked for his Wolverine spinoffs. As fans know, that's exactly what happened. During the same interview, the 57 year-old star of stage and film shared how The Rock made fun of him while offering some nutritional tips. In his words:

Those who follow the Moana actor's social media might not be too surprised by this. Dwayne Johnson regularly posts his cheat meals, and they're absolutely massive ones that usually involve a ton of sweets and overflowing plates. It sounds like Jackman didn't get the memo at first... until The Rock made fun of him and encouraged him to swing harder.

Jackman has been open about how many calories he eats to stay superhero fit, and it seems like Johnson helped him find that winning combination. Now we just need to get these two actors on screen together.

Hugh Jackman's time as Wolverine is streaming over on Disney+. Fans are hoping to see him reprise his role in upcoming Marvel movies, particularly the next two Avengers movies. If he does, smart money says he'll be looking jacked and having some wild cheat meals.

Dwayne Johnson has always made it clear that Maui is more than just another role in an upcoming Disney film. The character is tied directly to his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and he brought that connection back into focus while promoting the 2026 calendar release of the Moana live-action remake in Hawaii.

In a recent Instagram post, Johnson shared a tribute video dedicated to Maivia, talking about his grandfather alongside throwback clips of the wrestling legend in the ring. The post, see below, explained that the timing was deeply personal, because Maivia died in Hawaii 43 years ago this past weekend.

The video and caption gave fans a rare look at just how much of Maivia still lives on in the Smashing Machine star’s work. They also served as a reminder that, for The Rock, Maui has never been just a Disney character but a way to honor someone who helped shape his life.

Johnson Says Maui Keeps His Grandfather Close

In the caption, the veteran WWE superstar wrote that the inspiration behind Maui was “my grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.” He then reflected on the day Maivia died, writing that his grandfather began “his walk in the clouds” from Hawaii 43 years ago.

The actor described Maivia as an unforgettable presence, praising his charisma, hair, tattoos, strength, toughness and singing voice. The Fast & Furious alum wrote that the High Chief was “built like a tank,” “moved like a cheetah,” and “sang like an angel.”

That is a very specific kind of tribute, and it explains a lot about why Maui feels so personal to the third-generation wrestling star. He added:

Johnson ended the post by writing, “Love you grandpa,” before signing off with a long “Aloha,” echoing the energy and larger-than-life style he clearly associates with Maivia.

Maui’s Look Has Always Had A Family Connection

This is not the first time Johnson has connected Maui to his grandfather. The Rock revealed years ago that the animated demigod was partly based on High Chief Peter Maivia.

It is easy to see why. Maivia was a Samoan high chief, a professional wrestler and a major figure in the actor's family history. Maui’s size, tattoos, hair and huge presence all feel connected to that legacy. The eyebrow may be pure Rock, but much of the rest feels like a love letter to Maivia.

That family legacy runs even deeper in wrestling. The former wrestling champion originally debuted in WWE as Rocky Maivia, a name that honored both his father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather. Later, when the Disney star called his grandmother, Lia Maivia, “the real Final Boss” before her WWE Hall of Fame induction, he again pointed to how much his family shaped not only his career but also his sense of identity.

Lia Maivia’s story also connects directly to Peter Maivia’s legacy. After his death, she became one of professional wrestling’s early female promoters and helped bring wrestling to Hawaii in a way few had seen before.

The Live-Action Moana Makes That Connection Even More Personal

The live-action Moana puts the Jumanji actor in a different position than the animated original. He is no longer only voicing Maui. He is physically stepping into the role, bringing the character to life on the big screen.

That makes this press tour feel less like standard Disney promotion and more like a family circle moment. The longtime action movie star is promoting a character inspired by his grandfather in the same place where his grandfather died more than four decades earlier.

The live-action Moana is set to hit theaters July 10th. Fans have seen him talk about the character plenty over the years, from what Maui says about real masculinity to the Moana-related request Johnson says he gets from fans on a daily basis, but this felt like an especially revealing and heartwarming look at what brought the popular character to life both in animation and in live action.

Dwayne Johnson’s best movies have shown just what a talent he is, as they showcase his comedic timing, physical presence and that smolder. Yet, when he made The Smashing Machine, A24's mixed martial arts biopic on Mark Kerr, it was considered a dramatic breakthrough for the man long known as The Rock. Following the success of Benny Safdie’s movie, Johnson received his first standing ovation at a film festival, and the actor didn't hold back about crying during the event.

For someone who was hilariously worried he wouldn’t get a standing ovation, Dwayne Johnson’s dream came true at the Venice Film Festival, where he was met with 16 minutes of applause from the festival’s attendees. During a sit-down interview with Esquire, the Jumanji star revisited that beautiful moment and humorously poked fun at himself:

I really hope a pun was intended when The Rock said it “rocked” him. That aside, though, it's hard to blame the guy for crying and sobbing so hard. Sure, this is the same man who used to electrify stadiums full of people during his days in the ring. However, the Red One star also previously admitted to feeling insecure about taking on more interesting roles outside of blockbuster work. So the praise he received for Smashing Machine along with with that standing ovation were somewhat validating for him.

Johnson may have been blubbering after film festival goers stood up and cheered for him, but he also heartily spoke about how co-star Emily Blunt found a way to turn his tears into laughter:

Now, that's a good friend. The Rock and Blunt have been good buddies since co-starring in 2021's Jungle Cruise, and she clearly knows how to tickle his funny bone. When Johnson confirmed he’d be reuniting with Blunt for the A24 flick, he posted on his Instagram that he found her “inspiring.” Considering what a sweet bond the two have, it’s no wonder they have great chemistry in their movies.

The Rock was so overcome with emotion for his 16-minute standing ovation that he even penned a lovely statement after on social media. He made sure to emphasize that he had only imagined a moment like that and that he was “deeply moved.” As Johnson’s A24 follow-up gig will have him play the creepily perfect role of a mysterious guru in Breakthrough, I have a feeling he could find himself in a position to receive more praise during a festival.

Feel free to see why film festival goers applauded Johnson for 16 minutes by checking out The Smashing Machine, which is streamable with an HBO Max subscription.

Throughout the last few years, Disney has been producing live-action remakes of their animated blockbusters, to varying levels of success. Joining the ranks of those movies (which are streaming with a Disney+ subscription) is the live-action adaptation Moana, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his voice role as Maui. Although the hulking actor recently admitted he was having some marriage issues while playing the fan-favorite demigod.

There's a ton of hype surrounding the upcoming Disney movie, mostly because the animated Moana was such a huge hit. During a profile for Esquire, Dwayne Johnson admitted he and his wife Lauren were having some marriage issues while filming. Nothing catastrophic, but the type of bumps in the road that happen in most long-term relationships. He spoke about being so far from home during that time and having to bring Maui's positivity to life in the midst of it all. In his words:

That does seem challenging. Working any job while going through personal issues is difficult, but having to perform is uniquely hard, especially when actors need to push their feelings down in order to portray positivity and happiness. And I've got to give DJ credit; the Moana trailer shows no indication that he was having such a hard time.

While Dwayne Johnson got some flak for his Moana wig, folks do seem hyped to see the movie's story told in a live-action format. He and his wife have gotten through whatever their issues were, as was obvious in that same interview. Many relationships have ups and downs, and I appreciate that The Smashing Machine actor was so honest about his own; sometimes, celebrities really are just like us.

Johnson is definitely a family man, constantly sharing cute parenting anecdotes on social media. So one can only imagine how much he was distracted by his relationship issues while filming Moana. But the Fast and Furious actor is a consummate professional, and was able to bring Maui to life in live-action. Luckily, audiences will get to see the fruits of that labor shortly.

The new Moana movie is set to arrive in theaters on July 10th as part of the 2026 movie release list. If you prefer the story animated, that's streamable over on Disney+, both of which feature the talents of Dwayne Johnson.

Prepare to have tissues ready when you watch Dwayne Johnson’s latest family video. The actor is known for sharing sweet, emotional, and sometimes comedic moments with his daughters. But there was something that felt extra special about this one. He explains in the video that for his birthday weekend, they decided to take his two younger daughters to FAO Schwartz, an epic toy store in New York City. He never expected the trip to include a touching moment that reminded him of how he created a life ‘better than ours’ for his children.

The actor describes how, leading up to the trip, his ten-year-old was asking him if he ever got to go to FAO Schwartz. While he did get to visit the store once as a child, he told her that doing what they were about to do wasn’t in the cards for him. But the actor expresses the joy he gets from living vicariously through his children. These moments are just one of many things that his daughters love about him.

Check out the post below!

It’s always lovely to see the actor talk about his children, as you can visibly see him instantly melt. Johnson has been fairly open about his personal life, from moments with his children to his childhood. He explored the latter in his comedy, Young Rock, which ran for three seasons on NBC. Who could forget the time when his youngest refused to believe he was Maui?

But watching this video, I thought about how childlike the actor was playing along with his daughters. He compared it to being like Willy Wonka showing Charlie the Chocolate Factory. Although, this trip ended without any children turning into blueberries. He describes the touching moment with his daughter:

The pride in those words can be felt. And I'll be honest, it got me. You can tell Johnson means what he says. Even some of his acting choices are inspired by the representation he can bring to his daughters, such as playing Maui. His daughters seeing themselves in Moana makes it all the more important for him to keep carrying the hook. Seeing the way his daughter thought of him, after she was just given so much, is such a rewarding and wholesome moment.

The exchange can be seen at the end of the video, where she hugged him tightly and said how she wished he had had this as a child. You can tell her words threw him off guard, but the pride and emotional is all over his face, both retelling the story and in the moment. It made him reflect on the time he got to visit the toy store. He shares:

Clearly, Johnson didn’t become a magician. Though who else would love to see him play one? The actor jokingly shares that “the only thing I made disappear was my hair,” and takes a moment to give his infamous fanny pack a shout-out. The rest of the video is filled with childlike wonder, even from Johnson, who steps on a floor keyboard and gets excited over a Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Funko pop. It’s nice to see that even with his busy filming schedule, he takes time to have special trips with his daughters.

Currently, Johnson is promoting the live-action Moana, which has been the subject of much discussion. While the actor has gotten a lot of flak for the unfortunate wig, I think it’s important to remember the importance of what the movie is representing, such as the Polynesian culture, female empowerment, and, according to Johnson, what real masculinity looks like.

I have no doubt that the actor will take his daughters to see the movie when it premieres July 10 in theaters.

Dwayne Johnson taking some time out of his busy 2026 movie schedule to show up and speak at Emily Blunt’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony sounds like a sweet, full-circle movie-star moment. The two, have worked together multiple times, clearly adore each other, and Johnson is exactly the kind of person you want giving a big, heartfelt speech in public. Unfortunately for The Rock, public affection apparently came with a very poorly timed water spill, which led to some hilarious advice from Robert Downey Jr., according to Blunt.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Blunt talked about her Hollywood Boulevard star ceremony, where Robert Downey Jr., Meryl Streep, Johnson and others spoke about her career and their relationships with her. She explained how Johnson’s good deed turned into a tiny wardrobe mishap when it looked like he’d "peed" himself. According to her:

First of all, Robert Downey Jr. remains exactly who you want in your corner during a red-carpet pants emergency. Some people would panic or pretend not to notice. Not him. Downey apparently looked at the situation, assessed the sightlines and calmly told Johnson the podium was protecting him. That is Avengers-level crisis management, but for trousers.

Honestly, what a vicious little betrayal by gravity. This is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a man built like a sentient monument. He can carry franchises, wrestle giants and make a white shirt look like formal armor. But even he can be temporarily defeated by a cup of water and bad placement.

The podium, sadly, was not the end of Johnson’s weird day. Blunt also recalled that after the ceremony, Johnson got pulled over by police. She continued:

Blunt then joked that the officers may have known exactly who they were dealing with. She added:

That police stop really did happen. TMZ reported that Johnson was pulled over after leaving the Walk of Fame event because of the tint on his vehicle’s windows. At the same time, People noted that he appeared calm during the interaction and had been at the ceremony to support his Jungle Cruise co-star and Stanley Tucci.

Of course, because the universe has a sense of humor and Kevin Hart has access to microphones, Johnson’s longtime co-star later got asked if he had called the cops on him. Hart joked that he had not, but that he would, because that is apparently what friendship looks like when you have starred in multiple films together, including three Jumanji movies.

Johnson and Hart have turned off-screen roasting into its own side franchise, and they’ll be back together again in the now-wrapped Jumanji: Open World, which hits theaters on Christmas Day. Their friendship runs on affection, volume and insults fired like Nerf darts from a moving vehicle.

Recapping Johnson’s day: show up for Emily Blunt, spill water in the worst possible place, get saved by a podium, leave the ceremony and get pulled over for tinted windows, then have Kevin Hart publicly pretend he would absolutely snitch on you for sport. Honestly, Downey’s advice may be useful beyond this one ceremony. When life hands you an embarrassing spill, find the podium. The podium’s got you.

Dwayne Johnson not only knows how to wow audiences with his best movies, but he’s also a big family man. A father of three daughters, The Rock doesn’t shy away from spending quality time with the ones he loves. However, he did have a funny reaction to the pregnancy rumors that sparked after AI photos leaked, which led people to think he and his wife had apparently welcomed new members of the family.

The WWE star was truly so adorable when he talked about “his ladies” at this year's Met Gala. Wearing a Thom Browne black tuxedo ensemble, The Smashing Machine actor spoke to ET about how he celebrated his birthday by taking his family to FAO Schwartz, describing it as “the best birthday gift.” But when asked about the AI photos that surfaced showing that his wife, Lauren Hashian, had seemingly just given birth, here is how the actor reacted:

Practice makes perfect, right? According to People, Lauren Hashian reshared fake news posts on her Instagram stories back in April that revealed AI photos of her and her hubby holding a new baby. Describing it as a “Sunday laugh,” hilarity ensued when Hashian shared another post of AI-generated images that indicated she and Johnson had not only one but two babies. That would be quite the full house right there.

It’s really scary how real AI can look. Especially if the realism of photos can twist stories around. Don’t get me wrong, it was very funny to see AI show what the Jumanji star would look like as Disney princesses. But the technology pretending the box-office star had twins is a whole other story. But clearly, Johnson and Hashian are getting a real chuckle out of it.

Dwayne Johnson and Hashian’s “practice” certainly made two beautiful girls—10-year-old Jasmine and 8-year-old Tiana. He also shares a daughter with ex-wife Dany Garcia, Simone, who followed her dad’s footsteps with her in-ring debut as Ava in 2022. Whether The Rock has “the best daddy-daughter date” at the movies or uses his kids as weights while doing bicep curls, he never misses a chance to show how much his family means to him.

Let the record show that Dwayne Johnson and Lauren Hashian have not welcomed twins. That’s just AI working its creepy, realistic magic. However, it doesn’t mean that fiction can’t turn into reality one day. And when that moment comes, I’m sure The Rock will be more than ready to share the news with the world.

Make sure to add Johnson’s 2026 movie releases to your watchlist, as the live-action Moana opens in theaters on July 10th and Jumanji: Open World premieres on Christmas Day.

I was recently thinking about how, out of all the celebrities to host Monday Night Raw, Conan O'Brien never had the opportunity. However, while he's interviewed several notable WWE superstars over the years, he also had another significant contribution to the Attitude Era, having been responsible for one of The Rock's insults.

The talk show host recalled the story during an episode of Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend, where he and guest Zach Galifianakis discussed one of his former writers, Tommy Blacha. This led to O'Brien mentioning this bit he used to do back when he was hearing pitches, and how Blacha worked it into one of The Rock's promos:

Well, that's pretty cool, and the fun didn't stop there either, as Conan recalled:

What's funny is that Blacha admitted in an interview with Tales From The Attitude Era that he contacted Conan O'Brien because he felt like he stole the bit, and wanted to give him a heads-up before it aired. Fortunately, he confirmed that Conan was flattered, and now it's a story he's told a couple of times over the years whenever Tommy Blacha or wrestling gets brought up. Now all we need is a clip of Conan saying it like The Rock did in his promo, and my day would be made.

The whole thing has me wondering if the WWE needs to work with Conan O'Brien and have him freshen up some of its storytelling. Granted, I'm not sure either party is interested in that, but it would be great to see a character like Danhausen flourish even further, having a funny man like that back in the writers' room guiding his promos. Hell, with someone like O'Brien writing for him, it wouldn't be wild to believe he'd one day hold the Universal title.

Conan O'Brien has long been credited for his work on other shows, and while his work on The Simpsons may not be as big as what others hype it up to be, those three episodes he wrote were dynamite. Still, his years in television and ability to make the world laugh prove that WWE would be grateful to have his creative input, if they were willing to pay the money for him.

It's probably not something we'll see happen on the 2026 TV schedule, considering the number of cuts the WWE has made as of late. It seems TKO is trying to make various cuts for one reason or another.

Plus, Conan O'Brien is plenty busy with his podcast and other projects. However, based on his enthusiasm about his joke being used by The Rock, I'd assume he'd at least entertain the idea of working with the WWE.

Catch WWE Backlash with an ESPN Unlimited subscription on Saturday, May 9th. I'm excited to see what comes of this big PLE, as we look for some positivity out of the past couple of weeks of bad news when it comes to everything happening with the company.

Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson are quite the dynamic duo, having made several films together now. Their comedic antics -- both on and off-screen -- have been well documented and, later this year, they'll appear together in the 2026 movie release Jumanji: Open World. While I love their on-camera work, I love that the two co-stars have a history of trolling each other behind the scenes. And that tendency to bust chops was also present when Hart humorously chastised Johnson after he was pulled over by cops.

Just recently, TMZ acquired video showing The Rock being stopped by the police days ago due to having tinted windows on his car. (For context, that minor detail constitutes a traffic violation in LA.) No harm seemed to have been done on that front, overall but, then Hart entered the chat. While walking by Miami’s Carbone Beach Club, the comedian was asked by a paparazzi if he was responsible calling the cops on his friend and colleague, and Hart had a humorously blunt response:

Let the record show that Kevin Hart was just being his usual funny self, and that POS comment is another over-the-top jab aimed at his good buddy. Johnson previously shared the truth about his friendship with Hart, in that the two really do have love for each other and have “the best time.” Also, calling the cops on his “brotha” would be a whole new level of pranking that I’m sure the pair would never ever resort to. (At least, that's what I'd assume.)

Still, if trolling were an Olympic sport, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart would be standing on the podium playfully arguing about who would bring home the trophy. Whether they're destroying each other through hilarious impressions or slapping faces with tortillas on TikTok, there's never a dull moment with these two.

More recently, when Hart and Johnson reunited for Jumanji 4, they continued to roast each other. For example, the Smashing Machine actor found out the Philly native was filming him eating on set without him noticing. While Johnson jokingly said he wanted “to punch” his pal, he settled for “belly laughing” at Hart’s hilarious commentary instead.

And the hilarity continued in a BTS video which showed Hart complaining about sitting in the back seat of a car. Johnson roasted him about that, which led to Hart delivering so many humorous f-bombs while being roasted for his short legs.

Now, when it comes to the cop situation, I'd love to hear The Rock respond to his buddy's playful claim that he called the fuzz. It wouldn't be surprising to me at all if Johnson were to have a great one-liner of a response. For right now, though, I'm just chuckling over Hart's expletive-filled take on the traffic stop.

Make sure to add Jumanji: Open World to your watchlist, as the film opens in theaters on Christmas Day. Fans of Kevin Hart and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will surely want to be seated for the franchise capper.

The day before The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiered on the 2026 movie schedule, the stars were out on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to celebrate two of its stars, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. However, while that’s lovely, the moment we’re going to focus on today is the funny wardrobe oopsie Dwayne Johnson had right before he got up to give his Jungle Cruise co-star her tribute.

As per tradition, when a star gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, many of their colleagues come out to give speeches and honor them. For Emily Blunt, this lineup included The Rock, who she’s worked a few times. However, before he said a bunch of very nice things about her, he had to address the wardrobe mishap in the room as he explained (via Hello Magazine):

After he said that, someone yelled at him that the “podium’s got you,” meaning, it was hiding the stain from the drink. So, really, Dwayne Johnson was fine. No one could see it while he was talking. However, he continued to address it, saying:

Listen, I can’t blame him for mentioning this. As you can see in the photo above and the clip of this moment, he’s wearing a very light suit, which means stains will be visible if a spill happens. So, I totally get where he was coming from, and I thought he handled it with humor and grace.

Then, after that, he tried to move on, recalling how he and Matt Damon were talking about how “awesome” and “cool” this honor is for Blunt and Tucci. However, it did come back around to his pants, as he pointed down to them and said:

Well, that was sweet (and silly too), it also added to the wonderful event that was this Walk of Fame ceremony. Along with Johnson, who worked with Blunt on Jungle Cruise and The Smashing Machine, her fellow Oppenheimer cast members, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr., showed up to honor her. Plus, Meryl Streep was there too to share kind words about both her Devil Wears Prada co-stars.

Also, seeing as Tucci and Blunt are in-laws (he is married to her sister), they were able to make this double-star ceremony a family affair. Plus, Tucci’s wife, Felicity Blunt, and Emily Blunt’s husband, John Krasinski, were there as well.

So, all around, it was a star-studded affair full of love and one tiny wardrobe mishap. However, that keeps things fun, especially when The Rock used it to make a great comedic moment during the ceremony.

Now, to see these stars shining bright on the big screen (with no wardrobe malfunctions), you can watch both Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci in the well-reviewed Devil Wears Prada 2 in theaters now.

Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart always seem to be trolling each other, and you know what, I never get sick of it. Most recently, while promoting Jumanji: Open World, The Rock made fun of the comedian’s storytelling abilities. It felt like it came out of nowhere, which makes it funnier. However, what makes this whole situation even better, right after the Smashing Machine star did this, he showed some mad respect for his other Jumanji co-star, Jack Black.

Now, with the third Jumanji starring these guys and Karen Gillan set to premiere on Christmas on the 2026 movie schedule, they’ve been spending lots of time together. This included them taking a trip to CinemaCon, and The Rock posted a video on Instagram from there of him walking down the hall with Hart and Black. Take a look:

In the video, Hart and Black are telling a story about the comedian pitching the School of Rock actor something. I’m not sure what project they’re talking about exactly, but whatever it was, Jack Black wanted to read the script first.

Anyway, the point of the video in relation to this story is that Dwayne Johnson was listening to these two tell this tale. Then, in the caption, he decided to judge their storytelling abilities, writing this about his pal Kevin Hart:

Then to make matters even better, Johnson used the final part of his post to both joke about Hart and compliment Black, as he wrote:

Love the mad respect for Jack Black! I also find it funny that it also helps hammer home The Rock's roast on Hart.

This kind of tolling has been going on for years between the two actors; however, as they’ve been working together on this new Jumanji movie, the tomfoolery has been upped.

During production, The Rock posted a video of Hart throwing a tantrum in the backseat of a car they were filming in, writing that he was getting “whiny about his carseat.” Meanwhile, Hart posted a video of himself secretly filming Johnson before he noticed what was going on. The back-and-forth has always been consistent, and clearly, it’s stayed the same through filming this new project.

I have a feeling it will be that way through the press tour, too, and I think this video single-handedly proves that. Jumanji 4 wrapped production in March, so now the wait is on for its Christmas Day premiere. However, while we wait, I’m sure the cast will have more fun posts to share that both troll and compliment each other.

Clearly, they have a good time together (despite how often Johnson and Hart complain about each other), and I am looking forward to the stories they have to share about the making of this movie. However, if you want The Rock to listen to them…maybe have Jack Black tell them instead of Kevin Hart.

WrestleMania 42 came and went in Las Vegas, and as the wrestling world discusses everything from Brock Lesnar's surprise retirement to the amount of ads between matches, something has largely slipped under the radar. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was in Las Vegas, all throughout WrestleMania week, and made zero mention of professional wrestling the entire time.

When I saw The Rock was in Las Vegas for CinemaCon, I felt all but certain we'd at least see The Final Boss appear on SmackDown. That didn't happen, and now we're days removed from the event, and zero acknowledgement on social media that WWE's biggest show even happened? Something feels off, especially when looking at how he's operated with the WWE in recent years.

Did The Rock Intentionally Snub WrestleMania 42, And If So, Why?

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wasn't the only former WWE superstar who didn't acknowledge WrestleMania 42 before, during, or after the event. He is, however, one of the only former superstars who is also part of the TKO Holdings board of directors. He has a vested interest in the WWE's success, and yet, when he was in the city it was hosted in for days, he talked about every project he's involved in, but not the WWE.

Perhaps The Rock was paranoid that talking about the WWE would stir up rumors about him making an appearance, and seeing as he made a point to say he was going to be celebrating his daughter's birthday, he wanted it to be absolutely clear he wasn't going to show up. I could buy that he didn't want to create a situation where people are mad at him again after last year, when Travis Scott showed up in his place.

Another theory is that there was some falling out between a combination of The Rock, WWE, and TKO. I can only speculate as to what happened, but it would also explain why Dwayne Johnson, whose social media is rife with promotion of all things he has a hand in, failed to and still hasn't even offered congratulations to WWE for Mania.

Did The WWE Sink Its Chance To Do The Rock Vs. Roman?

If The Rock had a falling out with the WWE, the timing couldn't be any worse. Roman Reigns is champion once again, and he's committed to working full-time. Given his status in the company, I imagine the plan is for him to hold the title all the way to WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, a country that routinely requests performances from past icons.

Ever since the location was announced, I was convinced the WWE was finally ready to pull the trigger on Roman Reigns finally taking on his cousin, The Rock, at WrestleMania. The duo has teased this happening for years, and now, the company has a captive audience invested in seeing it, and may not have the key piece in The Rock on board to make it happen.

Of course, I'm deep in speculative territory here, and even if Dwayne Johnson was at odds with the WWE, there's still a long time until WrestleMania 43 is set in stone. If there is beef between the two parties, let's hope they can squash it, because I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to see The Rock main event one more WrestleMania and have it all go down against one of the best to ever do it.

We'll see if The Rock has anything to say about the WWE in the coming months, and if we'll see rumors of his involvement in WrestleMania 43 as it draws near. In the meantime, there are many PLEs for the company to get through, and lots of opportunities for other talents to rise through the ranks!

The remake of Moana is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar this summer, marking the latest entry in Disney’s quest to create live-action remakes for its animated catalog. There’s been quite a bit of criticism surrounding the film, especially about Dwayne Johnson’s wig, ever since the first trailer dropped. But now, his Moana co-star is speaking up with a totally different viewpoint.

In a recent chat with Entertainment Tonight, a video of which was posted to their X account, Catherine Laga'aia, who stars as the titular warrior, talked about how she sees Dwayne Johnson's hair—or the lack of it, really. While everyone else is buzzing about his wavy Maui hair, she said she mostly knew him in his character's costume. For her, it was his bald look that took some getting used to. She explained:

In the movie, Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui, decked out in 40 pounds of prosthetics and that headline-making wig. He’s pumped about getting another shot at the character in a new way, seeing it as a chance to represent Polynesian culture. The former WWE star also knows how beloved the original is and wants to make sure it’s treated with reverence. However, not everyone is on board with the movie's look, including the characters' costumes, and there have been quite a few critics have voiced their opinions.

The 19-year-old Moana actress says that as soon as she saw the actor in costume, she knew the movie would work. As she expounded on:

The animated movie Moana was released in 2016 and was a big hit, grossing over $600 million at the box office. But what really took off was its popularity on streaming. People with a Disney+ subscription practically had it on repeat, making it one of the most-watched films in the early 2020s. Because of this success, they released a sequel in 2024 and began work on the live-action version, likely thanks to its strong performance on streaming.

Whoever took on the job of turning the animated film into a live-action movie had a tough road ahead. The director, Thomas Kail, who directed Hamilton on stage and for Disney+, admitted he knew the original animated film was "in people’s molecules" and incredibly special to many audiences. Still, he was excited to give it a shot and see what he could do with the material.

The trailer definitely made waves, racking up almost 7 million views. But it’s tough to ignore the mixed reactions that came after. Even Weird Al couldn’t resist poking fun at The Rock’s wig. Just like when the first footage of the live-action Moana dropped, fans are asking, “Why do we really need this?” Some have even said it feels like a Saturday Night Live skit. Still, the stars of the film have their own takes on the whole situation, just as the responses to the wig do. So maybe we’re being a bit too harsh; let's give both the movie and the wig a fair shot.

Moana hits theaters on July 10, 2026.

Somehow it’s already been a decade since the original Moana movie came out, and Disney fans can now look forward to the story being retold as a live-action film on the 2026 movie schedule. This week, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the new Moana actress, Catherine Laga'aia, presented the film at Las Vegas’s CinemaCon, and the Maui actor brought up a golden point about the demigod and “real masculinity”.

The original Moana is already a special movie to a lot of people, so what will the new movie bring to audiences who’ve likely already seen the original many times? One thing that Dwayne Johnson said during the Walt Disney Studios panel (via Variety) definitely sticks out. In his words:

There’s always a lot of upcoming The Rock movies on the way for the superstar, so naturally, I’ve been wondering why the actor/producer would feel so passionately about remaking a movie that is already considered one of Walt Disney Animation’s best. It sounds like he’s very interested in spreading the message of the film further, and underlining one point about masculinity Maui stands for.

When we meet Maui in Moana, he thinks he’s the greatest hero, but he ultimately steps aside and needs Moana to save the day rather than earning all the glory. As he mentioned at CinemaCon, “all men” should give women the chance to feel the way that Moana does in her tale, and perhaps that’s one big reason the movie bears repeating in live action. Maui is definitely a rare character in media, and he’s got a great point here. The Rock also said this:

Along with Moana getting The Rock to play Maui again, it's also helping show his vulnerability and break stereotypes about big, strong men having to be tough all the time. The new movie will give more of a microphone to the Polynesian people and their culture, as a wide audience will get to see Polynesian actors front a major studio film – and that definitely doesn’t happen every day! You can check out the trailer for Moana:

I like that Dwayne Johnson has talked about being “protective” over Moana before, whilst doing the remake. I also appreciate that the director said “the opportunity to have flesh and blood” tell Moana’s hero’s journey made the movie worth his time. You can see the live-action Moana in theaters on July 10.

WrestleMania 42 is taking over Las Vegas this weekend, and it wouldn't be WrestleMania season without some speculation about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's potential involvement. After little to no chatter about "The Great One" in the weeks leading up to the annual event, fan chatter has spread regarding the athlete's appearance at another big-ticket event in Sin City.

Dwayne Johnson was spotted onstage at CinemaCon, helping to promote the upcoming release of his third Jumanji movie. So no direct connection to the WWE, but the timing certainly opens the door to atone for his no-show at last year's WrestleMania. Either way, there's a lot to unpack with this development.

Will The Rock Stick Around For WrestleMania 42?

With CinemaCon ending on April 16th, the stage is set for Dwayne Johnson to have a significant role in WrestleMania 42. He's presumably free to show up on SmackDown, which is the show he's most associated with, and possibly inject himself in the main event alongside Pat McAfee.

Considering a chunk of fans are upset with McAfee's involvement in the main event, adding The Rock in the mix could be a way to take the heat off the ESPN host and further excite people about this weekend. A surprise appearance from "The Brahma Bull" would almost certainly move ticket sales a bit as the weekend nears, but what are the odds of it actually happening?

Why I'm Doubtful The Rock Will Have Any Significant Role In WrestleMania 42

While I wouldn't rule out Dwayne Johnson appearing on SmackDown ahead of WrestleMania 42, I can't help but think back to why he randomly appeared during WrestleMania season last year. The Rock showed up after Elimination Chamber, seemingly hinting he would target Cody Rhodes when WrestleMania 41 rolled around. As mentioned, Travis Scott showed up in his place, and The Rock was nowhere to be seen.

Johnson later revealed that his appearance at Elimination Chamber came after a call from TKO CEO Ari Emmanuel, who wanted help moving tickets for the event (via Sportskeeda). Flash forward a year, and the WWE is having the same issues with poor ticket sales being used in the main event storyline. We've already seen rumors that Emmanuel made the call to put Pat McAfee in the mix. Could he call in another favor for The Rock for a SmackDown appearance?

I think it's possible, but I don't see The Rock having any significant role in WrestleMania 42 beyond that. In the past, we've known he's wanted to be in good ring shape before committing to any form of match in the WWE. Now, he could just show up and deliver a low blow to Cody, but I'm not sure wrestling fans want that at this point.

Really, adding The Rock to WrestleMania 42 would further exacerbate the problem created when Pat McAfee was added to the main event. This angle went from being about the decades of history between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes to a sideshow act with celebrity cameos. If The Rock is also thrown into the mix, I think it greatly overshadows Orton in the match entirely, so now I'm almost hoping The Rock isn't planning to appear at WrestleMania.

We won't have long to wait to find out what's going to happen either way, and see if The Rock heads over to the WWE after he wraps things up at CinemaCon. Tune in to WrestleMania 42 on Saturday April 18th and Sunday April 19th, and get ready for two jam-packed evenings of wrestling!

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has plenty of movies under his belt and, as such, he’s known for playing a variety of roles. From The Fast & Furious’ Luke Hobbs to Jumanji’s Dr. Xander "Smolder" Bravestone, the wrestler-turned-actor has quite a few big-screen alter egos. However, someone could argue that the character Johnson’s become most synonymous with in recent years has been the demi god Maui from the Moana franchise. To that point, Johnson apparently receives a “daily” fan request linked to the animated character.

While Disney’s Moana has been incredibly successful and Johnson has benefited from it, the A-lister has long been vocal about the deeper reason he’s so pleased with the franchise. It’s the depiction of Polynesian culture in the animated movies that truly warms Johnson’s heart. The Black Adam star spoke about that cultural connection during a recent interview with the Mirror, and the sentiments he shared were truly heartwarming:

Maui is particularly meaningful to The Rock, considering that the character is inspired by his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, who was an actor, stuntman and wrestler, who created the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” move. Johnson’s portrayal of his character has been well received, and it feels as though his popularity has only grown since his debut in 2016. With that, Johnson says admirers ask him to do something that’s become an iconic part of Maui’s lore, so to speak:

“You’re Welcome” is the song Maui notably sings in 2016’s Moana, through which he essentially introduces himself to the titular protagonist. It’s a serious earworm, and I can completely understand just why fans would be eager for Johnson to sing it if they run into him. However, it’s wild to think that the request has apparently become a “daily” occurrence for the star. Still, it sounds like he doesn’t mind, especially considering how much the franchise means to people, including his children:

Seriously, there was indeed a time at which one of The Rock’s daughters staunchly refused to believe her dad was the voice of Maui. But that humorous irony aside, it’s sweet to hear just how much the character and the franchise as whole means to Johnson, and I love that he appreciates fans’ affection as well. And, now, that passion will manifest once more through the live-action Moana movie, in which Johnson is reprising Maui.

While some people have been roasting The Rock’s live-action Maui look (including those pounds of hair), that doesn’t seem to have extinguished any enthusiasm the actor has. He’s also been incredibly mindful of how the film will portray his culture, which is very sweet. Of course, fans will also surely see him perform “You’re Welcome,” and I can surely imagine that bumping up song requests. Check out the film when it opens on July 10 as part of the 2026 movie schedule, and stream the OG film and its sequel with a Disney+ subscription.

Since Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black play the famed Nintendo characters of Princess Peach and Bowser in the latest 2026 movie release, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s only fair that they’d get to play some games of their own while promoting it. But, when the co-stars were asked to paint pictures of their co-stars, things hilariously went askew for Taylor-Joy (and it involves Zendaya).

While in Tokyo, Japan, to promote the Super Mario sequel that critics and audiences can’t seem to agree on, Taylor-Joy and Black were asked to paint one of their co-stars. Check out what happened when they guessed who the other had illustrated:

This is so, so funny! As shown in the video, Jack Black revealed the painting of his co-star first, which was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who he has worked with on the Jumanji movies. It makes perfect sense he would pick him, considering he just wrapped on the fourth Jumanji with the actor just weeks ago. Taylor-Joy was stumped on who it was because she seemed to forget who was in the movie, but I totally see the School of Rock actor's vision here. The raised eyebrow definitely gives it away, too!

It’s when Anya Taylor-Joy showcased her painting that things went a little sideways. Black was given the hint that it was one of her Dune: Part 3 co-stars. So, when he saw her canvas, he suspected right away it was Zendaya. But, the Princess Peach actress got embarrassed by the guess, asking Black, “Why would she be shirtless?”

But it didn’t stop there. Black then went to Timothée Chalamet, which was wrong as well. Ultimately, Taylor-Joy pointed out that the subject was “clearly in Hawai’i,” given the surfboard and ocean in the background, leading them to the real answer: Jason Momoa! What a goofy moment between these two.

In defense of Jack Black, I totally see why he thought Zendaya. Taylor-Joy gave her painting’s face more female-looking features, which only makes it more hilarious that, for a moment, he thought she’d painted a topless Zendaya. Black sweetly agreed later on that the piece of art was actually “kind of a Momoa!” And, he would know, given he worked with the guy on A Minecraft Movie.

Anya Taylor-Joy had a hidden role in Dune: Part 2, where it was revealed she’d be playing Paul’s sister, Alia. Coming in Part 3, she’ll have a larger role, and yes, Jason Momoa will be back, even though Duncan Idaho died in the first part. This time, he’ll be a humanoid named Hayt, called a “ghola” in the Dune universe, created in Duncan’s image.

Dune: Part 3 comes out on December 18, and you can see The Super Mario Bros. Movie in theaters right now.

After years of wild jungle adventures, Dwayne Johnson announced that the final Jumanji installment has wrapped production, ahead of its 2026 calendar release. As the journey comes to a close, Johnson honored the late Robin Williams with a tribute that reflects the heart of the original story.

Johnson shared the update, posting an emotional message on Instagram. The post reads like a full-circle moment for a series that managed to reboot a treasured property without losing its spirit. It’s part victory lap and thank-you note, as he says goodbye to a project that has clearly meant a lot to him. But before anything else, Johnson made certain to end things where Jumanji began, writing:

Considering how closely the newer entries in the franchise have been tied (both directly and spiritually) to the original Jumanji, and how the crew has continuously paid tribute to Williams on set, that last sentiment lands particularly hard. While the newer entries leaned more into video game mechanics and ensemble comedy, they never fully let go of Robin Williams' legacy as Alan Parrish. The former WWE star's tribute is the perfect closing sentiment to honor the beloved comedian.

The rest of the post digs into the idea of longevity. The Red One star calls the experience one of the most “fun and pure creative joy” runs of his career, and the photos he shared back that up. The carousel moves between color shots from the jungle set and black-and-white behind-the-scenes snapshots from production.

There’s the core crew together again, mud-streaked and smiling, and there are more candid moments. In one, we see the Smashing Machine actor standing under harsh set lighting while a camera operator lines up a shot. Plus a diner scene between Johnson and Kevin Hart was staged during a break.

Then there are candid beats of Johnson and Kevin Hart sitting on a fallen log, laughing. Jack Black appears in full costume, hands on his hips, looking as “Jack Black” as you’d imagine. These moments show a cast and crew that’s grown very close over nearly a decade, since Welcome to the Jungle was released in December 2017.

The camaraderie of the cast is part of what made this rebooted take on Jumanji work. It seemed like a group of actors who enjoyed being in the same sandbox, even as the premise became increasingly ridiculous. Body swaps, video game logic, and respawns could have worn thin, but the cast treated the world seriously enough to make audiences care.

The next, and final, chapter of the Jumanji saga hits theaters on December 11, 2026. Based on the amount of love and respect that everyone involved has brought to the project, I’m betting we are going to get a surprisingly heartfelt swansong from a franchise that’s been running strong for more than thirty years.

As we wait for the next entry, the previous two Rock-helmed Jumanji movies are streaming with a Hulu subscription.

Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest stars on the planet, and while there are many different reasons for that fact, one significant contributor is his work for Disney. Two of his earliest roles when he was still working on fully establishing himself as an actor were in 2007's The Game Plan and 2009's Race To Witch Mountain, and his relationship with the studio has only gotten stronger in recent years thanks to the Moana movies: which includes two animated films and the upcoming live-action remake. This in mind, it's really no surprise that he has been named as one of the latest recipients of the Disney Legends Award, and he accepted the prize with both grace and a funny Maui nod.

Johnson is part of the Disney Legends Class of 2026, a list that includes a number of other notable names including both artists and executives, and he expressed his gratitude for the honor in an Instagram post this weekend. Alongside an edited video showcasing clips of his history with Disney, the wrestler-cum-actor wrote a long caption that begins with his emotional response to the news:

The collaboration between Dwayne Johnson and the filmmakers/executives at Disney has certainly been fruitful. While neither The Game Plan nor Race To Witch Mountain were massive blockbusters, they did individually earn nine-figures at the worldwide box office. Moana, meanwhile, was indeed a massive blockbuster, earning over $640 million globally, and Moana 2 was even bigger, making over $1 billion. It should go without saying that anticipation is quite high for the live-action remake, which will be in theaters on July 10.

The Disney Legends Class of 2026 actually seems to be very inspired by the success of Moana: in addition to including Dwayne Johnson, other recipients with links to the hits films include Lin-Manuel Miranda (who wrote the music), Alan Tudyk (who voices the silly rooster Heihei), and Bob Iger, who was CEO amid the development of all three titles in the franchise).

Continuing in his post, Dwayne Johnson threw out some first-name thank yous to everyone who brought him to Disney Legend status, and he concluded with his Maui catchphrase:

(If you need to go listen to the song now, you're excused)

The full Disney Legends Class of 2026 includes Dwayne Johnson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alan Tudyk, Bob Iger, Anne Hathaway, the Jonas Brothers, ESPN legend Chris Berman, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Beauty And The Beast star Susan Egan, animator Eric Goldberg, and Kim Irvine from Imagineering. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the ceremony will be broadcast on Disney+ when its held on August 16.

Disney’s live-action Moana remake is on the way, and fans were treated to the first official trailer this past week. While some viewers seemed impressed with what they saw, there were those who had some strong thoughts about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s look as Maui. The biggest point of contention there seems to be the wig Johnson is wearing while playing the character, and fans have been roasting it. Johnson has also shared comments on wearing the faux locks, and his description of that doesn’t sound that pleasant.

What Have Fans Been Saying About The Rock’s Maui Hair?

It’s long been known that Johnson would reprise his role as the tattooed demigod in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake. However, aside from a few stray set photos, fans didn’t have a good look at the wrestler-turned-actor in costume until just recently. Following the trailer drop, many took to social media, and they didn’t hold back their thoughts. Many seem to believe the wig seems a bit clunky or awkward. Check out what just a handful of fans on X had to say about the hair:

• The Rock could’ve paid his own money to get a better wig. Who sent the PA, at Disney, to the beauty store to get that pack of yaki? - @AshleyShyMiller
• I know the Wicked wig techs saw that Moana trailer and giggled - @paulswhtn
• Disney got too much money to have Dwayne in that Freetress shake-and-go synthetic wig in the live action Moana trailer. - @GeauxGabrielle
• Idk how to explain it but even with a wig it still gives The Rock - @tinaturttle
• I think people don’t know what they’re upset about. My issue isn’t The Rock playing him. My issue is they should have done better with the character design. It’s just the same Rock with the tattoos and a lazy badly done wig. - @Kevin_Omega_97

Anyone who wants to better understand just how far-reaching this wig situation has become should know that even “Weird Al” Yankovic weighed in on it. This past week, the comedian and singer shared a still of The Rock as his Moana character and mused that the “Weird Al biopic sequel is currently on hold” but that actors “keep sending in headshots.” All in all, it feels as though the Internet is having a lot of fun with all of this, but that’s apparently not the feeling Johnson had while filming.

Why Was It Uncomfortable For Dwayne Johnson To Film As Maui?

It goes without saying that The Rock had a lot of fake hair on his head, and such wigs can be quite heavy. The director of the film, Thomas Kail previously said the hair weighed 7 pounds wet. Johnson himself spoke about that during a recent interview with EW and revealed just how much the wig – along with his prosthetics and a body suit – weighed. (And I’m shaking at the mere thought of having to wear all of that):

Having an extra 40 pounds of weight on me under any circumstances seems tiring, so I can’t even imagine having to act and be physical while keeping all of that on. I suppose that’s why Johnson is a professional, though, as this movie was far from his first rodeo. On that note, before he began production on Moana, he also had to gain muscle for The Smashing Machine and hold onto that body mass to film as Maui. (I feel like I need a nap due to just explaining that.)

Moving away from The Rock’s hair brouhaha and his time filming, though, it seems there are those who are still curious regarding the need for a live-action Moana movie in the first place. Despite that, Thomas Kail admitted that the OG film is “in people’s molecules,” but he still felt there was an opportunity to tell a great story in live-action. Also, Dwayne Johnson discussed his desire to further showcase Polynesian culture through the movie. Hopefully, that all shines through beyond the much-discussed wig.

The live-action Moana film is set to hit theaters on July 10 amid the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, fans can grab a Disney+ subscription and stream the 2016 animated flick on which the remake is based as well as its 2024 sequel.

Though the 2026 movie schedule has already had its share of blockbusters, audiences are going to be able to watch a wealth of big-budget spectacles this summer. One such probable hit is the live-action Moana, starring newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his popular role as Maui. When he agreed to take his part from the animated classic to live action, however, I doubt he thought there’d be as much talk about his Maui wig as there has been, and now Weird Al just made the very unexpected move of trolling him over it.

What Weird Al Said About Dwayne Johnson’s Live Action Moana Maui Wig

There is no shortage of upcoming Disney movies on the docket, and one that’s had people talking is the live action remake of the 2016 hit, Moana. Many fans were impressed with the first teaser, which dropped in November, but there were also a lot of viewers who threw a side eye at the wig Dwayne Johnson (who recently wrapped Jumanji 4) is sporting to play Maui. I’m guessing that one of those people was musical parody king "Weird Al" Yankovic, as he recently took a rather random shot at the star’s look in the new film, after the full trailer debuted. Observe:

OK, Al! Talk about brutal! Look, he’s not wrong that the wig is somewhat Weird Al-adjacent. We all know that if a Weird Al biopic sequel is on tap, the only person who should play him would be a returning Daniel Radcliffe. However, I now can’t get over the idea of Johnson in his Moana Maui wig as maybe a version of Al in, say, a dream sequence being had by Radcliffe’s version of the five-time Grammy winner. What’s that you say? You think that idea is confusing? Guys, it doesn’t have to make sense to be funny!

At any rate, while the singer is known for his curls, as is the animated demigod, Johnson, uh… isn’t. And, this is likely one thing that has really thrown fans off when it comes to him portraying Maui in the flesh. We just aren’t used to seeing him with a mane of free-flowing locks, folks. But, you can rest assured that the team behind Moana did take care when creating Maui’s follicular fortitude in the upcoming film.

What’s The Deal With Dwayne Johnson’s Live Action Moana Maui Wig?

Obviously, Moana has real importance when it comes to showcasing Polynesian culture in a fun way, and while I don’t think the hair will take away from that, it certainly has been a topic of conversation since we got the teaser. We’ve now gotten an even better look at it with the release of the first full trailer, and director Thomas Kail spoke to Entertainment Weekly about how important the wig was, because part of Maui’s “spiritual energy” is about his looks, which includes that gorgeous head of hair. As Kail said of the wig:

Johnson revealed in the same article that, all told, he had “an additional 40 pounds” of prosthetics and hair to deal with while performing, which is wild. Honestly, I think all we need to do is just watch that trailer a few more times, and we’ll get used to seeing the wrestler-turned-actor in his new, relatively hirsute, form. Weird Al’s thoughts on the wig, though, will never cease to be funny.

It’s only been a decade since the original animated Moana debuted and became one of Disney Animation’s biggest modern hits. And yet, those ten years are long enough, as the movie will be the most recent release to receive the live-action remake treatment. It will also see the return of one of the film’s original voice actors when Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui. Johnson understands that this movie has some big shoes to fill, and it sounds like he put a lot of time and care into one specific aspect of it.

The recency and quality of the original Moana were absolutely on the actor’s mind while making the new live-action Moana. In a new video posted to Instagram, Johnson said he was very protective of Moana because that first movie was so good. He explained…

One of the major problems that people have with Disney live-action remakes is that, in most cases, the movie being remade is a literal classic. So their feeling is that there’s little to be gained from a remake. Johnson seems to understand this very clearly. He knows that a remake of Moana that doesn’t match the quality of the original is going to be a disappointment for fans.

As part of that, today, we got a new trailer for the live-action Moana, one that gives us our first look at Dwayne Johnson’s live-action Maui. It’s hard to imagine that The Rock could look small in any movie, though compared to his animated counterpart, he certainly does. Also, while perhaps accurate, I’m going to have to get used to that hair.

The incredible success of Moana 2 at the global box office ensures that the audience for this newest iteration of Moana is certainly there. It feels like the live-action reamke is all but assured a massive opening weekend.

Now, the only question is whether it will have the long-term box office success it will need to be the sort of billion-dollar blockbuster that the top Disney live-action remakes have been. That will be determined by whether those fans think the movie did live up to the original, so Dwayne Johnson’s protection of that film makes perfect sense. He, and all of Disney, surely want this movie to look more like Lilo & Stitch than Snow White in when it comes to its financial results.

And success with the remake likely means even more Moana in the future. The animated sequel hinted at a future for that franchise, and the more animated Moana movies they make, the more opportunity there will be for live-action sequels if this first movie is a success.

Jumanji 4 officially wrapped production just recently, and that means fans are getting closer to seeing Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black play their respective characters one more time. Of course, during filming, Johnson and Hart were up to their usual hijinks with each other. Those antics have since spilled into social media, with Johnson admitting he wanted “to punch” Hart over a viral post but, now, even the wrestler-turned-actor is humorously at peace about it.

It’s no secret that The Rock and Kevin Hart have a history of ripping on one another. Honestly, it's that faux animosity that makes their bromance one for the ages. One of the most notable ways in which that dynamic manifested on t the set of Jumanji 4 was when Hart was filming Johnson eating without his knowledge. After initially responding to the clip about a week ago, Johnson reshared it on Instagram (with commentary from Hart), and it's too funny:

As you can see in the viral video, the Smashing Machine actor is simply scarfing down his meal on set. The added commentary is comedy gold, with Hart mocking the wrestler and saying, “If I don’t eat my food, I’mma get dizzy!” This is trolling in its purest form and, quite frankly, it only makes me love the relationship between Hart and Johnson even more.

When he initially responded to the clip when it was posted by Hart, The Rock emphatically responded by saying, “You MF!” He then declared, “Let the man eat in peace with his little tin, and big ass spoon." In his latest post, though, Johnson went from wanting “to punch” Hart to “belly laughing”:

I love that even the San Andreas actor can admit that his pal’s commentary is hilarious! Honestly, if you can't laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at? Johnson also playfully explained, though, just why he was packing that food in during his break on set:

Hey, the man’s gotta eat, right?! And it's been well documented that Dwayne Johnson’s got a big appetite. At one point, the Mummy Returns actor spoke about eating five to six meals a day. So, naturally, he’s not gonna go without a meal if the opportunity presents itself on set. As The Rock had no problem trolling Kevin Hart’s short legs during filming, I believe the man when he says he’ll deliver payback to his good friend.

As much as Dwayne Johnson wanted “to punch” Kevin Hart for mocking his downtime, it's great that he has such an excellent sense of humor about the sneaky move. When the time comes, I can’t wait to see what Johnson has in store for playful revenge towards his best pal. In the meantime, know that Jumanji 4 is set to be released on December 11th as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

The fourth Jumanji movie has wrapped, and the cast has been getting emotional about it. After making three films together, Karen Gillan specifically shared a candid post about playing Ruby Roundhouse and working with the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. However, along with her loving words, The Rock left a comment that was equal parts sincere and hilarious as he shared his thoughts on his co-star dealing with “three idiots” while making this project on the 2026 movie schedule.

Karen Gillan Got Emotional About Wrapping Jumanji And Manifesting Her Role In It

Karen Gillan’s enthusiasm for Jumanji has always been clear. It’s also been very obvious that she’s had a blast working on this new film. Just take a look at the hilarious posts of her mouthing “I’m Too Sexy” and being an absolute manic on set, and you’ll see what I mean. Her latest post, however, dives into just how much this franchise means to her, as she wrote on Instagram:

She also wrote about how she totally manifested Ruby Roundhouse. She proved it too, by posting a screenshot of an Interview Magazine article from 2014 where she said, "I like Jumanji, too, just to throw that in there." That happened three years before Welcome to the Jungle was released, which is remarkable, as the actress explained:

Clearly, the manifestation worked, and it brought her “the job of a lifetime.” As the post went on, she gushed about writer/director Jake Kasdan. She also, of course, called out her co-stars too, writing:

While Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan all love a hilarious comment, they also have a lot of care for each other. So, this wrap post ended up being quite emotional for the Guardians of the Galaxy actress, as she wrote:

Adding to the emotions here, The Rock also commented on this post. However, in true form of this cast, his post was both heartfelt and hilarious as he referred to himself and his two other male co-stars as the “three idiots” Gillan had to deal with.

Dwayne Johnson Left A Heartfelt And Hilarious Comment About Her ‘Dealing’ With ‘3 Idiots’ (AKA Her Co-Stars)

After the Doctor Who actress uploaded her long goodbye post, Dwayne Johnson was quick to comment. They’ve been working together for nearly a decade on these movies, and he made it clear how much he cares for her and their co-stars by writing:

Well, it couldn’t all be serious…which makes it even better. As Jumanji 4 has been in production, the cast has kept up the shenanigans. The Rock found out he was being filmed by Kevin Hart. Kevin Hart threw a tantrum about leg room in the back of a car that the cast was in. The list goes on. So, the Moana actor adding that little rib at himself, Black and Hart to his comment about Gillan feels very fitting.

All around, this post and comment felt like a great way to wrap up production on Jumanji 4. Now, I can’t wait to see what silly and loving moments these guys will give us once the press tour starts up and we get even closer to the movie's December 11 release.

One of the things that has made the two recent Jumanji movies so great is the chemistry of the main cast. The team of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan is clearly having a lot of fun together making these movies. That’s been born out during the filming of the latest entry in the series, although I’m not sure anybody has as much fun as Karen Gillan.

The actress, who portrays video game character Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji, has posted several clips from the set as she’s been hanging out behind the scenes and pretending to work. The final hilarious clip is from her final day on set. The new Jumanji recently wrapped filming, but not before Gillan rocked out on Instagram one last time.

This isn’t even the first time Karen Gillan decided to have an impromptu dance party on the set of Jumanji. A few days ago, she was getting down in her trailer during a time that she fully admitted she was supposed to be working on her lines. At other times, Gillan has been goofing off with The Rock’s stunt double, a guy who probably has only slightly less downtime than Tom Cruise’s stunt double.

The Rock himself has been having fun on set as well. The new Jumanji was filmed at Universal Studios, and The Rock occasionally stopped the Universal Studios Tour Trams to say hi to the people visiting the theme park that is attached to the studio. Celebrity sightings on the Universal Tour aren’t particularly uncommon, but they’re also rarely as big as Dwayne Johnson.

If the fun that the cast is having making Jumanji translates to the fun that audiences will have watching it, then we’re all going to be in pretty good shape. The last two films have been completely enjoyable takes on the premise. While we don’t really know what the new movie will be about. The ending of Jumanji: The Next Level teased a return to the original Jumanji premise, which sees the game world invade the real world, rather than the real world characters becoming part of the game. Of course, really anything is possible here.

Now that filming has wrapped, post-production can begin ahead of the film’s release in December. Somewhere in between, we’ll get the first trailer that will likely give us the movie’s official title, which will allow people to stop confusing things by being unable to decide whether this movie counts as Jumanji 3 or Jumanji 4.

Whatever we call it, we know this will be the last Jumanji movie, at least in this current iteration of the franchise. That also means there won't be another opportunity for Karen Gillan to be this silly, at least on this film series.

We’re one massive step closer to seeing Jumanji 4 in theaters, seeing as it has officially wrapped production. The project on the 2026 movie schedule that will reunite Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and more began filming in November. Now, after five months, they’ve completed their work on set. So, to celebrate, Black posted a cute car selfie with his co-stars.

Over the last few months, the Jumanji cast has been very active on Instagram while they've been in production. They’ve posted tons of BTS content, and it’s included everything from Kevin Hart filming The Rock in secret to Karen Gillan celebrating her birthday on set. Now, we have this sweet cast photo from Jack Black to add to this list of wonderful BTS moments. Take a look:

First of all, I can’t help but wonder if this is from the same day of filming where Kevin Hart freaked out about the amount of leg room he had in the back seat of the car they were all in. If it is, that makes this even better.

The other thing that makes this even better is all the sweet comments the cast left about what it was like to work on this movie together. We’ll kick off the sentimental messages with Black’s own Instagram caption, as the Oberon actor wrote:

Now, depending on whether you count the original Jumanji starring Robin Williams with these newer movies (which I do), this is actually Jumanji 4. However, this is notably the third time Black and his co-stars have suited up to play their video game characters in the rebooted franchise.

Anyway, either way you count it, wrapping on their latest flick together had to have been emotional. And it was very clear that they all enjoyed their time together very much. To prove that point, Dwayne Johnson, who plays Bravestone, commented:

All around, the set seemed to be pure joy. Back when Danny DeVito wrapped, The Rock paid tribute with a post that was both sentimental and hilarious. Now, a lot of the actors are making it clear that they had a grand ol’ time working together, as Karen Gillan commented:

Reiterating the point the Ruby Roundhouse actress made, Alex Wolff also posted the car selfie on Instagram to highlight how much fun he had while making this movie. Using his caption to explain just how much this experience has meant to him, the Spencer actor wrote:

So, with all that being said, the countdown to the newest Jumanji movie is really on.

They’ve wrapped production, and now the work in post will begin. Then, on December 11, we’ll be able to go to the theaters to see these folks' latest adventure on the big screen.

A new Jumanji movie is on the way, with the latest installment set to land on the 2026 movie calendar just in time for the holiday season. While the franchise has become a reliably family-friendly adventure, its stars are known for being a lot less wholesome when the cameras aren’t rolling. That’s especially true for Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, who never miss a chance to roast each other. Case in point: Johnson recently shared a behind-the-scenes clip of Hart dropping plenty of f-bombs after getting mercilessly trolled for his “short legs.”

In an Instagram post, Johnson shared a video from the set showing him in the front seat with Jack Black, while co-stars Karen Gillan, Alex Wolff, and Hart are crammed into the back. As you can see in the clip below, Hart’s reaction quickly turns into a hilariously profanity-filled rant.

Moments like this probably aren’t too surprising given how long the group has been working together. Filming on Jumanji 4 has been underway since November 2025, so it tracks that the cast has started finding creative ways to keep themselves entertained between takes. The upcoming sequel is expected to be the final chapter in the current Jumanji series, which makes the end of this particular run a little bittersweet. Still, considering the chemistry this group has built over the years, it wouldn’t be shocking if they found another project to team up on down the road.

For now, though, the gang is back for one more adventure. The next entry in Sony’s blockbuster series will once again see Johnson and Hart return as Smolder Bravestone and Mouse Finbar. They’ll be joined by Black as Shelly Oberon and Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse, rounding out the core group fans have come to expect. The returning ensemble also includes Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Ser'Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Rhys Darby, Lamorne Morris, and Danny DeVito, the latter of whom reportedly wrapped his work on the movie last month.

As for what the story will actually be about, details are still mostly under wraps. The film’s official title hasn’t even been revealed yet. One thing that has been confirmed, however, is that the movie will include a heartfelt nod to Robin Williams, the star of the franchise’s original 1995 film.

In the very explicit, albeit hilarious, clip above, Johnson can be seen wearing a necklace that includes the original dice Williams used while filming that movie. It’s a small detail, but a meaningful one, serving as a quiet tribute to the late actor and the film that started it all.

Of course, while moments like this behind-the-scenes video are fun to watch, the production itself hasn’t exactly been easy. Action-adventure movies are notoriously demanding, even for actors who aren’t performing the biggest stunts. Kevin Hart has even shared photos of himself completely wiped out and asleep on set, giving fans a glimpse of just how exhausting the shoot can be.

Still, it’ll be great to see the whole ensemble back together on screen in a much more family-friendly setting when Jumanji 4 arrives in theaters on December 11. Until then, here’s hoping the cast keeps sharing more of these chaotic and entertaining behind-the-scenes moments.

A new Jumanji movie is on the 2026 movie schedule and set to hit theaters during the holiday season. With that co-stars and good buds Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Kevin Hart are currently hard at work on the set of the adventure film getting it ready for us. And, in true on-brand fashion for this pair, the've been joking and roasting each other during their downtime. The latest play jab coming from Hart, who received a funny reply from Johnson.

Jumanji 4 has been filming since November 2025 so, as fans can imagine, the actors are finding fun ways to entertain themselves between takes. Check out this funny video Kevin Hart took of Dwayne Johnson while he was chowing down on some food:

Fans have to turn on the sound for this one, if they haven’t already. The comedian discretely filmed his co-star sitting down in the middle of the jungle to eat his lunch while some of the crew were figuring out the specifics of how to shoot the scene. Hart added some funny commentary of what he imagines The Rock is saying such as “If I don’t eat my food I get dizzy” and the actor had no idea what was happening. Now that the footage is on Instagram, Johnson took to the comment section to say this:

Ugh, these two are always such a fun pair and never cease to entertain – even with their upcoming movie not even being out yet. It’s too bad it was announced that Jumanji 4 is going to be the last in the series given their undeniable chemistry. However, something tells me they’ll find other ways to work together in the future. I do wonder if The Rock will find some way on set to get back at his co-star after this has gone viral.

The latest installment in Sony's box office-breaking franchise movie will not only have The Rock and Hart back in action as Smolder Bravestone and Mouse Finbar, respectively. Jack Black’s Shelly Oberon and Karen Gillan’s Ruby Roundhouse are also joining them, of course. Other actors in the cast also include Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Rhys Derby, Lamorne Morris and Danny DeVito, the latter of whom wrapped on the movie last month.

Next to nothing is known about the plot of the new Jumanji movie right now, and that includes what the official title. However, what's is known with certainty already is that includes a sweet tribute to Robin Williams , the star of the franchise's OG film. The necklace Johnson is wearing on his neck in the video above has the original dice the late actor used on the set of the 1995 movie.

Before filming for Jumanji 4 is done, I'm hopeful that we'll get treated to some more behind-the-scenes tidbits and videos. That includes some additional trolling between Kevin Hart and The Rock. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on December 11.

The Rock is one of the biggest actors on the planet, but like many others, it wasn't always that way. While Dwayne Johnson has never fully shed his past as a WWE superstar, there was once a point where his pro wrestling career took precedence, and he was only able to book small roles.

Star Trek: Voyager fans likely know this all too well, as he notably guest-starred on the series as the "Pendari Champion" in the episode "Tsunkatse." The role didn't require Johnson to do much more than what he was doing as The Rock in WWE at the time, but as the actor told Moovy TV, the experience stood out to him thanks to the cast. He specifically highlighted the "warmth" of co-star and Seven of Nine actress, Jeri Ryan:

That's great to hear, but especially impressive for those familiar with Star Trek: Voyager. Jeri Ryan is very candid that her time on the series was not great, due to a feud with lead actress Kate Mulgrew. While it seems the two have remained cordial in recent years, it speaks volumes that Ryan went out of her way to show kindness to Dwayne Johnson, when she herself was admittedly having a bad time on the show.

In the episode, Seven was tasked with taking on the Pendari Champion in "tsunkatse," a game very similar to pro wrestling or gladiator combat. Seven of Nine falls to Dwayne Johnson's character in battle after showing mercy to him previously. Johnson, who was credited as "The Rock" in the episode's credits, continued to sing praises of how Jeri Ryan treated him, despite still being relatively green when it came to traditional Hollywood acting:

It's cool to see how that moment went on to influence The Rock later in his acting career, and it's a great reminder to fans that Star Trek can be a great place for professional wrestlers to work on their acting chops. Currently, WWE superstar Becky Lynch is working on Starfleet Academy, and who knows, maybe Big Time Becks will one day be as prolific as Dwayne Johnson is in Hollywood.

The Rock's story makes me wish Jeri Ryan were back in Star Trek, but unfortunately, it may take a while before we see that again. After her acclaimed performance in Picard, Paramount offered her a chance to do a follow-up show and further Seven of Nine's adventures. Ryan explained she turned down the offer, knowing it wasn't something the fandom wanted when compared to a proper follow-up to Picard.

As for Dwayne Johnson, I'd love to see him return to Star Trek in the future, even if it were a different character than his Pendari Champion. I think it'd be great to compare the two performances, especially if it were for a project where he could reunite with Jeri Ryan once again. Fingers crossed it can one day happen!

See The Rock's episode and more of Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine by streaming Star Trek: Voyager over on Paramount+. As she's the actress behind one of Star Trek's best characters, it only makes sense for Ryan to be just as enjoyable off-camera as she is as Seven.

There’s something oddly perfect about the upcoming Jumanji 4 wrap being equal parts heartfelt tribute and light bullying. And if you know anything about Dwayne Johnson, you already know he wouldn’t let a sentimental moment pass without sneaking in at least one joke. See the lovely moment shared between the two as Devito wrapped his role in the 2026 movie release.

This week, Johnson took to Instagram to mark an emotional milestone, as Danny DeVito has officially wrapped filming on the Jumanji sequel. In the post, he shared a carousel of behind-the-scenes images from the set, including an especially striking black-and-white shot of DeVito walking away from a crowded room, cane in hand, as cast and crew looked on. It’s the kind of image, shown below, that feels cinematic even without context.

Of course, there was light hazing buried deep in the appreciation post for DeVito. After two full paragraphs of genuine admiration, calling DeVito a “brother” and praising the joy he brings to the franchise, the former WWE star couldn’t resist tacking on a playful roast about “exfoliating the top of your head.” It’s affectionate, it’s perfectly Rock-coded.

For anyone who watched Jumanji: The Next Level, you know DeVito’s addition to the rebooted franchise brought a new layer of comedic chaos. His cranky grandfather character, Eddie Gilpin, was thrown into the body of the buff Dr. Alexander "Smolder" Bravestone (Johnson) and gave The Rock plenty to play off of. The chemistry between the two actors felt surprisingly natural.

That’s part of what makes the third photo in the post land the way it does. Shot in moody black-and-white, it shows DeVito from behind as he walks through what appears to be a set dressed as a bar or restaurant, with crew members lining the background. It feels less like a goofy adventure-movie wrap and more like a quiet tribute to a career spanning generations. The Fast and Furious franchise veteran may joke about exfoliation, but the visual tells a different story: respect.

Johnson has made a habit of publicly celebrating his co-stars when they wrap major projects. Whether it’s heartfelt shout-outs or gym-side pep talks, he tends to lean into camaraderie. But the DeVito post hits differently. There’s a sense that Dwayne Johnson genuinely reveres him, and not just as a scene partner, but as a Hollywood elder statesman.

Plot details are still largely under wraps, but we do know that Jumanji 4 is being positioned as the “final film” in the current franchise run. The Smashing Machine star confirmed production is officially underway following a cast table read in Los Angeles, reuniting The Rock with Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. The sequel is expected to pick up after Jumanji: The Next Level's ending, which teased the game bleeding back into the real world, potentially bringing the jungle chaos into everyday life. The Black Adam lead has also hinted at an emotional sendoff, including a subtle tribute to Robin Williams through a dice necklace worn by Dr. Smolder Bravestone.

Jumanji 4 is set to hit theaters on December 11, 2026. Before that, Johnson will return to the big screen as Maui — this time when live-action Moana sails into theaters on July 10.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is known for his wild cheat day meals and, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, there are no exceptions. This V-Day, the Smashing Machine star took a little time off from his busy 2026 movie schedule to light the candles, metaphorically. Johnson went for a less traditional than I would've guessed and instead shared a lovely daddy-daughter cheat meal that has to be seen to be believed.

The Rock’s Daddy-Daughter Day Cheat Meal Is Awesome

Johnson shared the sweet (and very on-brand) Valentine’s Day moment on Instagram that had less to do with romantic date nights and more to do with what he proudly calls “Girl Daddy’ing hard.” In the video below, Johnson pours an extremely generous stream of maple syrup over a plate of sweet potato pancakes, set on a pastel pink scalloped dish. The setup is fully festive, complete with Valentine ’s-themed tray decorations that look straight out of a Pinterest board. Check it out:

Anyone who's followed Johnson for any amount of time probably knows this recent post tracks. He’s long embraced the “girl dad” title, frequently posting about his daughters. He's a father to three girls -- Simone (24), Jasmine (10) and Tiana (6). In the past, Johnson has been a blubbering mess on red carpets with his daughter at his side or even just shared the ways they keep him grounded.

While the internet may know The Rock as an action star or former WWE champion, his social media has steadily leaned into wholesome dad energy. So what do fans have to say in the comments regarding this wholesome moment?

Fans React To The Rock’s Valentine's Post

The comment section quickly turned into a mix of heart emojis, pancake praise and a little playful teasing. Here’s a snippet of what followers had to say about the sweet (pun intended) Father-Daughter moment:

• @wellmadebykiley: “This is precious!! Yes to those sweet potato pancakes, they look amazing 🧸”
• @thefairywhobakes: “the cutest thing I’ve seen for today!!!!”
• @thesaltycooker: “Looks amazing❤️❤️❤️”
• @kay.faam: “😂😂😂😂😂 and their momma is the absolute best in all the land! Haha Jazzy and Tia for the win!”
• @hamidrezamodara: “❤️🔥🔥🔥”
• @thefairywhobakes: “look soo tasty ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
• @wellmadebykiley: “😍😍”
• @hamidrezamodara: “🔥🔥🔥”
• @kay.faam: “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
• @therock: “Oh yeah… wait til you see what I let them have for LUNCH! 😂”
• @wellmadebykiley: “I'm just waiting to see them doll you up with their newest makeup techniques 😂”

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to mean candlelit dinners and grand romantic gestures. For Dwayne Johnson, it meant waking up early, flipping sweet potato pancakes and pouring maple syrup like there was no tomorrow for his daughters. It’s a softer glimpse of someone who built his brand on intensity, discipline, and larger-than-life physicality. And that contrast is exactly why it works.

For all the best new action movies, grueling workouts, and billion-dollar business ventures Johnson has, his social media regularly reminds fans that at home, he’s just Dad.

The Rock’s Cheat Meal History Is Extensive

Of course, the over-the-top syrup pour also fits neatly into another long-running Rock tradition: the legendary cheat meal. If you’ve followed him for any amount of time, you know his indulgent food posts are practically their own series. Despite maintaining one of the strictest training regimens in Hollywood, he frequently documents epic splurges — towering pancakes, double smash burgers, massive sushi spreads and desserts that can climb into the 5,000-to-6,000-calorie range.

The Rock has joked about turning into “Jabba the Hut” mid-binge and has embraced random midweek “forget it” moments before diving into comfort food. It’s become part of the formula: extreme discipline most days, unapologetic indulgence when he earns it.

And, when he’s not in full dad mode or enjoying a cheat meal, Johnson is as busy as ever. On the professional front, he has two major releases lined up this year, including the live-action Moana and the next, and possibly the last installment in the Jumanji franchise, all set to hit theaters before the year’s end.

When Dwayne Johnson really puts a special effort into a challenging performance, he reveals himself as a legitimately talented actor. While it can be said that he has spent the majority of his career playing vaguely similar versions of the same character, for the first time in a long time, audiences got the chance to see that talent shine through last fall with the release of The Smashing Machine. While that didn’t result in Johnson landing a 2026 Oscar nomination, he has earned great respect from his peers – including fellow A-lister Matt Damon.

Johnson and Damon have not yet had the chance to make a movie together, but the two men got the chance to chat together in recent months, and the latter walked away from the conversation immensely impressed. During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience (shared via Johnson’s Instagram), the Martian star recalled discussing a particular scene in The Smashing Machine and asking how his fellow thespian prepared, and he was extremely impressed by his answer. Said Damon,

In the scene in question, Mark Kerr (Johnson) is laid up in a hospital bed and he carries on an aloof conversation with his friend Mark Coleman (Ryan Bader), who plays along with his pal’s excuse that he is just sick. Johnson carries a kind of childish air about him in the scene, a light giddiness that he may still be at a point that he can excuse away the consequences of his addictions, and the actor apparently went to a very personal place for that moment.

Then, however, the shoe drops: Coleman drops the facade and gets real: he knows exactly why his friend has been hospitalized. The protagonist’s emotional state snaps like a twig, and he begins to cry only after grabbing the hem of his blanket and pulling it up to cover his face. The moment gave the actor another chance to work from another painful memory to inform his performance. Damon continued,

That’s some seriously raw stuff, and Johnson deserves immense kudos for his willingness to go to those painful places for the betterment of his craft. It surely must have taken a lot out of him, but the results speak for themselves on the screen, and while the box office numbers weren’t exactly great, one can hope that the response will motivate him to continue trying some big swings and not just stay in the safe comfort of blockbusters and franchise films as is career continues to mature.

I have to say I’ve absolutely been loving the bits we’ve gotten to see from Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on social media since the new Jumanji movie began filming a short while back. Of course, the cast has been good about giving away pretty much nothing about the plot, with Karen Gillan even hiding a storyboard in one post (as if we were looking at anything but her abs). But they do seem to be having a lot of fun, as evidenced by Gillan’s interactions with The Rock’s bodyguard.

You may already know The Rock’s stuntperson from the epic story that’s told from time to time about how Johnson gifted him a truck on the set of his other action/adventure series Jungle Cruise. Tanoai Reed's been the stunt double for the actor for an extremely long time. They worked together starting on The Scorpion King and on subsequent movies in the former WWE star's career. Which brings us to their latest venture, an action-adventure sequel for Sony.

So, now, on the set of The Rock’s third Jumanji movie (the fourth overall), Reed is back. He’s there to do some of the heavy lifting when some of the bigger action sequences come into play, but have you ever wondered what stunt doubles do on set when there’s downtime? According to this funny post from Karen Gillan, she’s enlisted the man as her resident umbrella holder.

There may have been some uproar over her Jumanji costume, but listen: a girl can't get all red in the sunshine while filming a movie where she's an unchanging video game character in short shorts and a crop top! While I didn't see it coming when she enlisted Johnson's stunt double to do the task, somebody's gotta do it, and I guess it might as well be the big, tall dude with good reach and a lot of downtime in between scenes.

And they say chivalry is dead.

Meanwhile, the story behind The Rock even working with Tanoai Reed is wild. Reed was already a stuntman in Hollywood who'd gone as Dwayne Johnson for Halloween a year before The Scorpion King. He was a similar size to the actor, and fit into his costumes perfectly, so was hired on the spot. Sometime down the line, they both found out they were actually cousins down the line, with Johnson's mom knowing Reed's dad.

It was meant to be, and now he's got a side gig hustling for Karen Gillan. Hollywood gonna Hollywood.

Some people are early birds and others are night owls, but there’s a fair faction of celebrities that are early birds to an extreme. Well, at least when it comes to working out. Mark Wahlberg’s been open about his 4AM workout club over the last couple of years, but digging around, it turns out he’s not the only celebrity with a crazy fitness schedule.

Wahlberg’s social media in particular is peppered with 4AM workout club posts. He’s called it a “lifestyle” many times, and has addressed the workout starts at 4 – which usually means he’s up closer to 2:30 a.m, and has confirmed he is not full of hot air when it comes to these daily starting times.

Getting up early and getting in his workout before 6 a.m. means the The Family Plan star has time to get in golf in Las Vegas before it gets too hot. Then he spends the afternoons working and spending time with his family. Obviously, his routine must change when he’s working on a movie set, but doubtless, there’s often still time for those early morning fitness sessions.

Wahlberg has been honest that Mondays (which seem to be leg day) are “the worst,” but he shares his 4AM persistence often, and is a great follow on Instagram if that’s a routine you’re looking to get into yourself. He's been doing this for years; in fact, I once watched him push James Corden through a 4AMer when he was still a late night host like seven years ago, so this doesn't seem to be a routine he'll be ending anytime soon.

Jennifer Lopez And Dwayne Johnson Are Other Examples Of Extreme Early Birds In Hollywood

Jennifer Lopez is another early bird at the gym. Whether she’s doing strength training or even oddball training for movies, like when she learned pole dancing for Hustlers, she’s not wasting time later in the day training. She’s up and at them, as she revealed to US Weekly a couple of years ago, and she likes to break a sweat “first thing,” with some outlets citing this at 5 or 6 AM, and one celebrity insider noting she’s up at 4 a.m., like Wahlberg. Her celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson also opened up about her work ethic, and it sounds like she has a good attitude in the gym, despite the early hours.

Other A-listers also have insanely early workout schedules, like The Rock, who reportedly kicks his day off with a cardio session before doing a separate lifting workout. He’s showed off Stories posts in the past with alarms going off at times as early as 4:09 AM, though some outlets report he can get up as early as 3:30, similar to Wahlberg.

Speaking of The Rock and Mark Wahlberg, a couple of years ago the 4 a.m. workout aficionado told the world he can do more pullups than Johnson. I don’t know if that’s held true as they’ve both aged, but I’d love to see a pullup challenge between the two of them. That wouldn’t happen early in the day for Johnson, though. He typically starts the day with cardio, then gets into lifting weights in the afternoon, with his trainer noting the “right weight” and “intensity” is key to the actor’s success.

Kim Kardashian Gets Up Pretty Early, Too

Which brings me to one more celebrity who likes to get up early: Kim Kardashian. What I like about Kim is that she has work ethic, but she’s a little less crazy about it than some of these a-listers. The reality star reportedly mixes it up with weights, pilates, and a “little bit of cardio,” as she told Vogue earlier this year, also confirming the early AM was her time to get it done.

In the reality star's case, she gets up, throws her workout clothing on, but then often takes her kids to school before she hits the gym.

Kim has worked out with famous trainer Senada Greca, doing exercised like 40-LB banded squats, and she likes to do a few days of upper body a week. She also says she’s a better runner than you’d expect, but she’s not nearly as into dancing or hot yoga.

It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through the first month of 2026 already. There’s already been so much good TV on streaming to watch and the movies hitting streaming in January have been solid. The great content continues this week. Here are six more shows, and one great movie, you won’t want to miss.

Star Search January 20 (Netflix)

If you grew up in the ‘80s, then you almost certainly remember Star Search, the talent show that was our first look at numerous stars include Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Drew Carey, and more. Now your Netflix subscription is bringing the show back for a new generation. New stars will almost certainly be made. Anthony Anderson takes over hosting duties from Ed McMahon. Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Tiegen are the judges.

WWE Unreal Season 2 - January 20 (Netflix)

It’s been decades since professional wrestling dropped its claim to legitimacy and proclaimed itself as performance. However, not before the first season of WWE Unreal had we ever really seen what goes on behind the curtain as far as the formulation of storylines and matches. Netflix and WWE continue its growing partnership with a second season that will surely raise fans’ eyebrows.

Steal - January 21 (Prime Video)

Sophie Turner just blew us away with the first look at her for the new Prime Video Tomb Raider series, but before your Prime Video subscription gives you Lara Croft, Turner appears in the new Prime Video series Steal, about a woman who finds herself deeply involved in a massive robbery at her workplace.

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! - January 22 (HBO Max)

There are few talents who have ever lived who are as incredible as Mel Brooks. The comedian has transformed TV and film, and a new documentary looks at his nearly century of life and performance. And it’s not the end, Spaceballs 2 is still on the way.

The Smashing Machine - January 23 (HBO Max)

According to the box office, you did not see The Smashing Machine in theaters. However, according to those who did see it, including Christopher Nolan, Dwayne Johnson gives a performance that’s not to be missed. You can remedy that because this week, The Smashing Machine is available with an HBO Max Subscription.

UFC On Paramount - January 24 (Paramount+)

Live sports are still one of the most important elements of television, though their transition into the streaming era has been a bumpy one.UFC fans previously needed access to ESPN+ in order to even pay the additional fees associated with live events. Starting this week, you’ll need a Paramount+ subscription to watch UFC events, but the good news is there’s no additional fee above a premium subscription.

January isn’t over yet. We still haven’t made it to the new season of Bridgerton or the first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this year. Those, and more, will be here next week.

The 2026 movie schedule is still only a few days old, but that means that we are in the middle of awards season for many of the best movies of 2025. Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson was pretty universally declared a…smash for his performance in the acclaimed A24 drama, The Smashing Machine, and saw himself nominated for a 2026 Golden Globe for his mighty efforts. Though he ended up losing the trophy, it turns out he got a better prize from one of his young daughters.

What Prize Did The Rock Get From His Daughter After Losing The Golden Globe?

I can imagine that it’s probably pretty trippy to make a movie, have people literally applaud your performance via a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, and then to hear award nomination chatter begin. His anxiety on Globes nomination day proved unfounded, because he was among the choices for dramatic Best Actor, but the famed wrestler-turned-actor ended up going home empty handed.

However, after losing the award, Johnson took to Instagram to reveal what he was going to say had he won, and let everyone in on how his 10-year-old daughter, Jasmine (whom he calls Jazz) actually gave him the greatest prize. Take a look!

Awwww! “If you can dream it, you can do it” indeed! Wise words from a little kid, right there, which helped to let the actor/businessman (who counts Jumanji 4 as one of his upcoming movies) know that he’s still a winner, no matter what awards voters might say. As he noted, in part, in his caption:

We don’t quite get a full view of the folks who surrounded Johnson after he missed out on his first acting award, but at least he was able to let loose after the ceremony with those he cares about, and who’ve supported him while he takes his already legendary Hollywood career to new heights. He continued:

One of the things The Rock has been doing as of late is taking on a host of far more serious acting roles, and even admitting that he was the one to blame for not having more of those opportunities before The Smashing Machine, simply because he was “really scared” that he wouldn’t be able to pull off such dramatic work. He’s now also in the works on a "psychological thriller" called Breakthrough, and an untitled Hawaiian crime drama that will reteam him with buddy Emily Blunt for the third time, which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and will be directed by Martin Scorsese.

After thanking all of his family, friends, and fans for their support, it appears he sat down to dig into some prime cheat-day desserts, and I can only imagine that having Jazz’s words with him made it all much sweeter.

Anybody who has become enamored with film has had those actors who became early influences, i.e. an actor with a particular talent that memorably impressed us. While one might assume the first actor to hold that position for Dwayne Johnson was some major action hero, the Smashing Machine star recently revealed it was comedian Gene Wilder, who passed away in 2016.

Speaking with W magazine, Dwayne Johnson was asked who his first “cinematic crush” was, and while most would likely name a performer they found physically attractive if asked that question, Johnson actually called out Wilder, who Johnson says he first saw appearing alongside another early hero. He said…

Dwayne Johnson is certainly not the first to be wowed by the work of Gene Wilder. From his work with Richard Pryor in Stair Crazy and Silver Streak (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year) to his work with Mel Brooks in some of the greatest comedies of all-time, including Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, few have a filmography full of so many hits, and Wilder is a major reason for that level of success.

However, Dwayne Johnson says it was a different role, possibly Wilder’s most well-known performance, that really showed him what Gene Wilder was capable of. Johnson continued…

The Fast & Furious actor specifically calls out the final scene of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as an example of the tenderness that Wilder showed that touched him when he was young. You can see exactly what The Rock is talking about here.

Honestly, I think anybody who knows anything about acting probably has a cinematic crush on Gene Wilder. He was absolutely incredible as a comedian and as a dramatic actor, too. He's still missed today, but as Dwayne Johnson shows, he's far from forgotten.

We’re deep into awards season, with the 31st Critics' Choice Movie Awards being held this past weekend, and the 83rd Golden Globe Awards airing on the 2026 TV schedule this upcoming Sunday. Looking further ahead into the future, the nominations for the 32nd Actors Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, have been announced, and there’s a solid lineup of performers that are in contention for those coveted Actor trophies. But as it goes with awards shows, there are also a fair amount of A-listers, including Dwayne Johnson, who didn’t make the cut.

It was only three months ago that Johnson was seen on the big screen starring as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24’s The Smashing Machine, which quickly drummed up accolades and awards buzz for the former Black Adam. While Johnson is among the actors who was announced as part of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations, he was not among the Actors Awards nominees unveiled earlier today. Instead, the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category consists of Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan in Sinners, and Jesse Plemons in Bugonia.

You can head over to the Actors Awards website to see the full list of nominees, but Adam Sandler, Emily Blunt, Amanda Seyfried, Cynthia Erivo and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the other actors who didn’t end up being recognized this year. Sandler would have been especially nice to see in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category for his role as Ron Sukenick in Jay Kelly. But like I said, there are always going to be perceived snubs when awards nominations are announced; you can’t include everyone, otherwise what would be the point in having these ceremonies?

The good news is that like Dwayne Johnson, Adam Sandler, Emily Blunt, Amanda Seyfried and Cynthia Erivo will also compete at the Golden Globes, with the latter two actresses earning recognition for The Testament of Ann Lee and Wicked: For Good, respectively. Blunt, of course, starred opposite Johnson in The Smashing Machine, with this marking their second collaboration together following Jungle Cruise. Going back to the Actors Awards, other movies and TV shows that have actors being recognized this year include Frankenstein, Hamnet, Severance, The Diplomat and The Studio, among others.

If you’re interested in seeing firsthand who walks away with Actors Awards, you’ll need a Netflix subscription, as the ceremony exclusively streams on that platform March 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Otherwise, continue checking back with CinemaBlend for news on the 2026 movie releases, as you can sure we’ll be talking more about snubs in various ceremonies around this time next year.

Given all the Dwayne Johnson movies always on the way (including two on the 2026 movie schedule), it’s almost unbelievable that acting isn’t his first career. He first became famous for his WWE career before he earned his first role in a movie in 2001’s The Mummy Returns. As he celebrates 25 years in the profession, “The Rock” recalled what his first day as a thespian was like as if it were yesterday.

Johnson recently joined The Hollywood Reporter’s Actors’ Roundtable to talk with some of the most acclaimed male performers of 2025. During the conversation, he recalled his first day on the set of The Mummy Returns with these words:

The Mummy Returns was shot in Morocco and Jordan before moving to England later in production. Talk about an adventure for The Rock on his first acting credit. At the time, he was in his late 20s and very green to what it was like to be on a major production. As he shared, he was quite sick on his first day on the job, but something else happened:

Despite the physical pain Johnson was going through while he was playing Scorpion King on set, he said he realized almost immediately that he was happy with his career pivot. Given his condition, that feeling wasn’t a given, and yet that’s how the story goes.

Recently, The Rock had a chance to thank Brendan Fraser for his role in his career shift (amidst the pair both being in acclaimed 2025 movies). He said that Fraser had the power to not take a chance on him, but he welcomed him to the film “with open arms.”

The movie went on to make $433 million worldwide, becoming the No. 7 highest-grossing film of 2001. From there, he would go on to do the spinoff The Scorpion King, and slowly inch his way into becoming a bigger and better actor.

Dwayne Johnson has primarily been known for his work in action movies, but his latest role in The Smashing Machine saw him transitioning into a dramatic one to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The movie was a box office bomb, but Dwayne Johnson and his co-star Emily Blunt both are among the 2026 Golden Globe nominees for the Benny Safdie film.

Following The Smashing Machine, Johnson has two potential blockbusters on his hands in 2026, where he’s getting to continue to do the career he loves. First, he’ll star as Maui in the live-action Moana movie coming this July before returning to the Jumanji movies for the fourth installment with Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, coming out in December. So, while he may have been sick on his first day of acting, clearly going to work that day and performing through it was well worth it.

While some ring in the new year with the ball drop or Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen’s silly celebration (which featured multiple Heated Rivalry references this time), or setting off fireworks with family, others, like Dwayne Johnson, spend it at the gym. However, The Rock didn’t just complete a workout; he also used this time to talk about life and share his philosophical thoughts with fans. Honestly, it feels like a great way to kick off 2026.

The Moana actor took to Instagram on the first day of 2026 to post a video he filmed on New Year’s Eve from the gym. In the caption, he noted that the “last workout of the year was a good one,” and he also explained that he “got [his] ass kicked” during it. That led him to express some of the philosophical thoughts he was having during that time, and he started with:

While I’ve heard it before, it is a good reminder. It’s always best to look toward the future and not dwell on the past. Dwayne Johnson certainly has a lot to look forward to, too, with production on Jumanji 4 happening right now and his 2026 Golden Globe nomination for his transformative role in The Smashing Machine.

That led to the Jumanji actor making another great point about the importance of saying humble and hungry. Pointing to a sign in his gym that said “Stay humble, stay hungry,” which you can see in the video below, he broke down why that is a valuable mindset to have.

Explaining that the mantra is one of his “core tenets,” the actor noted that while he didn’t really have “anything philosophical to say,” this was the one point he wanted to make. Breaking it down further, he said:

The Rock said that being hungry and ambitious never goes out of style, either. That brought him back around to his original point, as he told everyone to “stay humble” and “hungry” while also “looking through that windshield” and being grateful for what you see in the “review.” He ended with:

While we focus often on Johnson’s exercise routines, midnight workouts and advice on staying in shape, it’s clear here that he focuses a lot on keeping his mindset healthy too. All around, I feel like he’s setting a good example for the new year, and this has also got me excited about what he has coming out next.

As I mentioned earlier, Jumanji 4 will be released on the 2026 movie schedule on December 11, and it’s in production right now. He will also be playing Maui in the live-action Moana, which comes out on July 10, so there’s a lot in that windshield for Mr. Johnson. I’m sure that as he moves through the year, he’ll stay humble and hungry about it all, too. And when it comes to all of us, and our year ahead, I think we should do the same.

If you know anything about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson personal life and career, you should know he has tried his hand at a lot of different things. In college, he was a football player for the University of Miami who hoped to go pro. When he ended up mostly playing backup, he shifted his dreams to wrestling and became the catchphrase machine WWE fans know and love. Of course, most of the world knows him now as a big budget box office machine, but even he upended those expectations by taking on the more critically-acclaimed Smashing Machine this year. He’s a man with many goals, so why didn’t he ever try to fight in other spectrums?

If you’ve ever wondered why The Rock never tried to swap from WWE to UFC or even MMA, we finally have an answer. Travis and Jason Kelce asked him about this during an episode of the “New Heights” podcast, and he candidly informed the two NFL players that MMA is “a whole different beast” or “monster.”

Travis Kelce specifically asked him if he’d ever thought about it regardless, and he answered:

These days the WWE is competitive with UFC in terms of yearly revenue, but back in the '90s, Dwayne Johnson was not yet "The Rock" we know and love today. (He really peaked around '99 or '00.) In comparison, UFC was a place where you could really bring in some bucks, and it sounds like the money was tempting to think about. The wrestler-turned-actor used to think the grass might have been greener on the other side, and he said he did consider what life in another fighting realm might be like.

There was crossover between fighting styles, too, making the possibility a serious option if he'd wanted to pursue it. Ultimately, however, there was one thing holding him back:

Though it didn't happen, I do enjoy thinking of this alternate reality where Dwayne Johnson made a name for himself as a serious fighter alongside names like Randy Couture, Dan Severn or Ken Shamrock, many of whom did multiple runs in multiple sports. Maybe somewhere in the multiverse the Brahma Bull got his wish, but in this life he's now a partner in TKO Group Holdings and is once again taking a more active role in WWE.

Oh yeah, and that's just a side gig to his a-list acting career, which has produced some great roles for The Rock in recent years. He's said he's looking for more "opportunities" to stretch himself, but it sounds like that probably won't mean UFC! Still, it sounds like it all worked out exactly as it was seemingly meant to.

There are a lot of different ways to define success in the movie game. Some people look at box office. Some people look at reviews. Some people look at nominations and awards. At film festivals, that measure is typically standing ovations, as Dwayne Johnson discovered earlier this year.

The Rock, Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie took The Smashing Machine to Venice for its premiere, and it was the first time the WWE Champion turned biggest start in Hollywood had ever been invited to such a prestigious festival. Prior to the debut, he started noticing all these other stars who were there and stories floating around about how long the standing ovations were for their movies. As a first timer, he was understandably a little anxious about how The Smashing Machine would be received, and on reflection, he’s not too cool to admit it.

During a sitdown with Deadline, Johnson told the outlet he literally asked Safdie and Blunt what they were supposed to do if no one clapped for the movie. He even jokingly asked if he could start a standing ovation himself, but beneath the humorous comment, there was clearly anxiety. Here’s how he put it…

Thankfully, any concerns and worries proved to be unnecessary. The film received a double-take worthy fifteen minute standing ovation, which was so loud and so thunderous it got the big man to cry. He later even penned a letter to those in the crowd thanking them for showing so much enthusiasm and appreciation for The Smashing Machine.

In the months since, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for the film. It struggled to find an audience at the box office, likely being too much of a character study for the general public not typically interested in slower, more emotional A24 styles movies, but it did earn a ton of positive reviews and multiple Golden Globe nominations, including one for Johnson's performance which was the first major nom of his career.

I love thinking about The Rock, a man who has made billions of dollars at the box office and headlined wrestling matches in football stadiums, being worried about whether he’s going to get a standing ovation. It’s really endearing, and it shows how much he cared about The Smashing Machine. Given he seems committed to mixing in challenging material and is currently working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese on an upcoming movie, something tells me it won’t be the last time he’s at a film festival worrying about a standing ovation either.

Filming is underway on Jumanji 4, which is set to close out the beloved action/comedy film series. The film also reunites the cast of the most recent films, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and more returning. This experience seems to be particularly special for Johnson, who’s not only looking ahead to what’s come before but also paying homage to the past. The A-lister specifically honored late franchise star Robin Williams amid production, and he explained how that loving nod came to be.

Over a month ago, Dwayne Johnson shared a set video on Instagram, in which he showed off a deep-cut trinket. Johnson revealed that his necklace contained the original dice featured in the franchise’s original 1995 movie, which the late Robin Williams, of course, headlined. The wrestler-turned-actor, who plays Dr. Xander "Smolder" Bravestone/Spencer Gilpin in the film series, spoke to People about the Easter egg, and it turns out he got a keen assist in making it happen:

Actors, directors and screenwriters get a lot of credit when it comes to filmmaking, and deservedly so. However, The Rock’s story is a good reminder that on sets, craftspeople are, in many cases, the real MVPs. Using the dice from the OG flick was such a great idea on Laura Jean Shannon’s part, and the finished prop looks great. This is a great example of what happens when sheer skill, nostalgia and affection combine to create something excellent. Take a look at the dice for yourself in the clip below:

The creation of that sweet memento isn’t the only way in which Johnson has sought to honor Alan Parrish actor Robin Williams, who died at 63 in 2014. Johnson honored Williams and the cast and crew of the original movie with a video posted on December 15, which marked 30 years to the day that Joe Johnston’s fantasy flick opened in theaters. The actor also shared his favorite moment from the ‘90s movie, which is when Alan bravely confronts obsessed hunter Van Pelt despite being terrified.

Based on what’s been shared thus far, that same level of love and enthusiasm has permeated the Jumanji 4 set. The cast has been mixing it up again, and everyone even got together to celebrate Karen Gillan’s birthday. All the while, Kevin Hart has been hyping up his stunt men, while The Rock has been greeting fans visiting the Universal lot. In short, this sounds like a fun and positive set to be on.

Considering that this will be the final Jumanji movie, I’m wondering if the producers have plans to honor Robin Williams in other ways. There’s a brief nod to Alan Parrish in 2017’s Welcome to the Jungle, but I wonder if the character’s legacy might play into this latest installment in a more substantial way. We’ll have to wait and see if that happens but, for right now, I think the cast and crew are doing Williams proud already. See the currently untitled film when it hits theaters on December 11 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

Dwayne Johnson is having quite the year. After starring in the critically acclaimed Benny Safdie film, The Smashing Machine, the actor became a 2026 Golden Globe nominee. It’s a huge honor, and the first nomination of Johnson’s career. It’s a far cry from his box office fodder status, especially considering Smashing is a small drama film, and not his typical blockbuster action movie. This new career phase has meant the world to Johnson, and he recently shared that he was nervous when the nominations came out, but Ryan Coogler helped relax him.

During a recent red carpet interview with the Are You Okay Show, the Jumanji star revealed he had actually turned his phone off the day that the Golden Globe nominations came out, because he was so nervous. Eventually he decided to turn his phone on and he only heard one ding, which he thought indicated that he may not've gotten the nomination. In the Instagram video, he said:

However, the situation wasn't at all what he thought. Once he opened his phone, he saw Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s text, telling him congratulations. With that, Johnson knew he scored the nomination:

This is such a cute story and I love that Coogler was able to deliver such special news. It's bene lovely to see the Moana star soak in the love for his latest film. Johnson penned a lovely statement after receiving such a warm reception at The Venice Film Festival, and he couldn’t have been more touched to hear that Christopher Nolan enjoyed his performance as Mark Kerr. While box office success is commonplace for The Rock, this kind of praise towards his acting is a new level of success, and it’s sweet to see him enjoy this part of the business.

Dwayne Johnson seems to be keen on expanding his repertoire as an actor, too. He's teaming up with Benny Safdie again for Lizard Music, in which he'll play a 75-year-old man. This project will also mark another physical transformation for Johnson, who's currently losing weight for the role. He's also lined up another A24 movie, which is a thriller that will see him play an enigmatic self-help guru.

All in all, things are definitely look up for Johnson. The single text from Ryan Coogler, who is also a great talent, wasn’t just representative of the great achievement of a Golden Globe nomination. It also signified that he's respected by others all around the movie business. Johnson truly transforms in The Smashing Machine, so it's all well deserved. I hope he remembers this (and I also hope he and Coogler collaborate at some point in the future).

You can see Dwayne Johnson’s Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Smashing Machine, which is currently available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Fans of director Ryan Coogler can also check out his latest film, Sinners, which is now available to stream with an HBO Max subscription.

While many are currently bundled up in warm clothes and gearing up for a festive holiday season, no such winter wonderland is on hand for Dwayne Johnson and the cast and crew of the currently in-production Jumanji: The Next Level sequel, which is already set as a 2026 release date. It’s quite the special time for all involved this week, as December 15 marked 30 years since Robin Williams’ original film hit theaters, and The Rock paid tribute to both the film and its iconic star in an on-set video.

The occasional WWE Superstar took to social media to share his tribute to Williams and everyone involved with the original film, since if it wasn’t for all of their efforts, this franchise would never have lasted as long as it has. Check out the post below, and those who aren’t able to watch can read on to see what the Smashing Machine vet had to say.

It's pretty clear that Dwayne Johnson is enthused about not only bringing his Jumanji trilogy to a close (presumably), but also about once again getting to live in the same fictional universe that Robin Williams helped bring to life back in 1995 alongside Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce. In his words:

Johnson then addressed his favorite moment from the original film that took place between Robin Wiliams' Alan Parrish and Jonathan Hyde's Van Pelt.

No one can convincingly deny that being a great movie moment; I just won't stand for it. How amazing would it be to have a magic word in one's back pocket to use in moments where great threats present themselves?

In any case, the athlete-turned-actor is currently repping that very scene on a daily basis through the necklace hanging around his neck. He speaks to that in the video, saying:

This of course isn't the first time that Dwayne Johnson has addressed his super-special homage to Williams and the original family film, as he drew attention to the prop dice earlier in the third film's production back in November. Most people don't get to wear props from their favorite movie scenes, but obviously The Rock has the kind of Hollywood access that most don't.

Robin Williams was on a lot of people’s minds this year, as it usually goes. Just a few weeks ago, Kirsten Dunst reflected on the impression he left on her after they worked together, and earlier in 2025, the actor’s son Zachary Williams penned a sweet message on his late father’s birthday. On a less positive note, the Mork & Mindy actor’s daughter Zelda Williams pleaded with fans earlier in the year to stop sending her AI videos made using her father’s likeness. I can only hope that Sony and director Jake Kasdan avoid all instincts to add an AI Alan into the newest movie.

When it comes to in-the-flesh actors, also co-starring in the latest action-adventure sequel will be a bunch of familiar faces such as Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan (who recently celebrated an on-set birthday), Jack Black, Rhys Darby, Nick Jonas, Danny DeVito, Burn Gorman, Alex Wolff, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris, Ser’Darius Blain, Marin Hinkle and more.

The newest Jumanji movie is set to hit theaters on December 11, 2026, just ahead of the 31st anniversary of the O.G. film’s release.

It has been previously suggested that we can all thank Brendan Fraser for the career of Dwayne Johnson because he gave his approval for the then-WWE star to be cast in The Mummy Returns. Of course, that particular film isn’t just famous for launching the career of one of the biggest movie stars in the world; it’s also infamous for having some of the wonkiest CGI in the history of the technology.

In the recent CNN & Variety Actors on Actors between the two Mummy Returns stars, the pair talked about how they were never actually on screen together, because Johnson’s only physical scenes were set in a different era, and his later appearance in the finale was…rough, due to some famously bad CGI. Fraser said…

“Early video games” is probably an apt description, but The Mummy Returns was released in 2001, and the creature at the end of the movie looks like a character from an early PlayStation game. That would be fine; these were still early days for CGI effects, after all. However, this film still came out many years after Jurassic Park, which makes The Scorpion King, who more closely resembles a lobster, look mcuh worse by comparison.

Having said that, Brendan Fraser reveals that the team responsible for creating The Scorpion King was well aware, at the time, that the creature wasn’t right. The actor relays a conversation he had with the team at the premiere of the film when they said as much…

Digital effects artist being crunched for time is apparently a decades-long problem. We know that recent Marvel movies have suffered due to the artists not having enough time to make the effects look as good as they could be. It seems the same was true almost a quarter century ago.

And to be fair, The Scorpion King's look isn’t an easy effect to pull off. While the body of the monster is something that could potentially be done with more ease, creating a digital head that looks like a real person is something that CGI still has problems with today. They would have needed a long time in 2001 to do it right, which they clearly did not get.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 25 years since The Mummy Returns debuted in theaters, and yet, quite a lot has happened since then. The movie’s hero Brendan Fraser, is now an Oscar winner, and the movie’s villain Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Now the two have reunited, and the love fest is truly something special.

Johnson and Fraser were brought together as part of Variety and CNN's Actors on Actors series. During the conversation, Johnson had to specifically thank Fraser for the fact that the two of them were even sitting there together. The Rock indicates that Fraser, being the star of The Mummy franchise (which Johnson refers to as a modern Raiders of the Lost Ark) had the power to veto his Hollywood debut. And he might not have been wrong in doing so, given Johnson’s lack of experience. The wrestler turned actor said:

Dwayne Johnson was a huge star in WWE, but was largely unknown outside of that world. However, Johnson’s role as The Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns was so well received that it earned Johnson a spinoff of his own, and he’d never really look back. Johnson certainly isn’t wrong that The Mummy Returns started everything. The two men are literally sitting in chairs talking to each other because of that movie. He continued…

For his part, Brendan Fraser doesn’t seem to want to take too much credit for anything, if only because he doesn’t seem to think his giving the green light to Johnson’s casting was ever a question. He says The Rock was “always” the right choice to play The Scorpion King, because the role needed somebody with The Rock’s particular background. Fraser said…

Considering how much these guys love each other, it would be great to get them together again., And considering that The Mummy 4 is a movie that is now happening, there is at least an opportunity to do it.

There are lots of great ways to celebrate a birthday, and Karen Gillan revealed the stellar way she spent her's from the set of Jumanji. At the moment, the cast of the fourth Jumanji movie is in LA working on the final installment in the franchise, and the Ruby Roundhouse actress’s birthday is November 28. So, in celebration of all of that, the Guardians of the Galaxy star posted how she and the cast spent her special day.

While we won’t be able to celebrate Jumanji’s release on the 2026 movie schedule until later next year, we can celebrate Gillan’s birthday now. So, to do just that, take a look at the fun photo she uploaded to commemorate how she and the cast spent her big day on set:

OK, first of all, that cake looks amazing. I also love how happy Gillan looks alongside her co-stars, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Alex Wolff.

However, I think the best part of this post was the caption, because, along with commemorating the lovely event, she also threw light shade at Kevin Hart’s character, by calling out Mouse Finbar’s hilarious weakness in Jumanji, she wrote:

This made me laugh so much, and I love that it was both a solid joke and a good reminder of the funny strengths and weaknesses these characters have. I also am here for the fact that this isn’t the first time Gillan has called these facts out in a post, either. That’s because, when she posted about getting back into the Ruby Roundhouse costume, she made sure to note that her character is a skilled dance fighter.

Now, everyone in the Jumanji cast has been pretty actively posting about this upcoming movie. Dwayne Johnson has surprised fans and acknowledged Universal Studios Tours on a couple of occasions. Meanwhile, Kevin Hart uploaded an appreciation post for his stunt doubles.

These two guys also commented on Gillan’s birthday post. Hart even acknowledged his character’s funny weakness, writing:

I also love the fact that in the second image, as Gillan was blowing out the candles, Hart was shying away from the cake as he was holding it. While I’m sure that reaction was probably more fire-related than cake-related, knowing about Mouse’s weakness makes it incredibly funny (and fitting).

Meanwhile, The Rock’s comment for Gillan was equally as sweet and included some killer hashtags (pun intended):

Along with those two, Alex Wolff also took to his IG story to repost Gillan’s images and write that she is “the greatest ever.”

Overall, this post reiterates the enthusiasm and love this cast has for each other and the Jumanji movies. Now, I really can’t wait to see them all back in action when the fourth and final movie hits theaters on December 11, 2026.