Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a household name, synonymous with both professional wrestling and Hollywood success. However, his latest endeavors in Tinseltown have been met with criticism and disappointment. The failure of his film “Black Adam” is a notable example of this, and unfortunately, his demanding behavior on set may have contributed to the film’s underwhelming reception.
As an enthusiastic fan of the character, Johnson had been wanting to portray Black Adam since 2007. He was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do so, and upon the film’s release, he touted its initial success. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. “Black Adam” earned a mere $389 million worldwide, far short of the commercial success Johnson promised.
The problems began when Johnson, along with producers Hiram Garcia and Beau Flynn, went directly to Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav to pitch their vision for not only “Black Adam” but also Henry Cavill’s Superman and DC as a whole. This move “ruffled feathers” and led to increased tensions between Johnson and the studio.
In addition to these power struggles, Johnson’s excessive demands on set likely didn’t help matters. According to sources, he insisted on setting up a tequila bar featuring his own brand, Teremana, at the film’s premiere. This tacked-on expense was just one of many that contributed to the film’s ballooning budget.
Cody Rhodes and The Rock (Via WWE/Twitter)
Johnson’s high expectations for the film’s performance also clashed with reality. A source close to the situation noted that “his demands increased and the returns just weren’t there.” It’s little wonder that his relationship with Warner Bros. has grown increasingly sour.
The impact of Johnson’s behavior was felt throughout the DC Extended Universe, particularly in the departure of Henry Cavill from his role as Superman. It remains to be seen if Johnson will return to the world of superhero films anytime soon, given the current state of his relationships with Warner Bros. and the DC franchise.
This story sparks questions about Johnson’s ego and whether his desire for control and publicity has clouded his judgment in his Hollywood ventures. Only time will tell if Johnson can recover from this setback and return to his former glory.
