Dwayne Johnson is about to add another project to his ever-expanding plate with action/comedy Red Notice. The era of movie stars has gradually died away in Hollywood over the last two decades, and while projects used to be based around the star power of actors like Tom Cruise or Will Smith, the industry is now all about brand recognition. Cruise may still be a movie star, but the disappointing performances of recent movies like The Mummy show even he’s not invulnerable to changing trends.
One of the few exceptions to the rule is Dwayne Johnson. Ever since his co-starring turn in Fast Five, the actor’s box office profile has raised dramatically and his work addiction typically means he has a few projects out in any given year. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle was always expected to perform well, but no one expected it to gross over $800 million; a sequel is currently being fast-tracked. His movies may not always receive a warm critical reception, but he’s proven its still possible to be a modern-day movie star.
Johnson is already one of the highest paid actors in the world, and now THR reports he’s expected to receive over $20 million for a starring role in action/comedy hybrid Red Notice. The project is currently the focus of a bidding war between companies like Sony, Paramount and Legendary, and will reteam Johnson with his Skyscraper director Rawson Marshall Thurber. There aren’t many plot details available for Red Notice, but it will be a two-hander between Johnson and an unconfirmed actor, and the title refers to the arrest of Interpol’s most wanted criminals, with Johnson set to play an Interpol officer.
Stars rarely receive a salary upwards of $20 million anymore, but given the amount of success The Rock has enjoyed in recent years, studios feel he’s worth the price. Johnson’s next movie will be video game adaptation Rampage, where he has to stop giant monsters from destroying a city.
Johnson is also set to star in a Fast & Furious spinoff centered around his character Hobbs. The character has long been a fan favorite, and the actor will be joined in the movie by Jason Statham’s anti-hero Shaw. The two actors shared a fun onscreen chemistry during The Fate Of The Furious, and there was even an end credit scene shot that hinted at them teaming for a solo adventure. Apparently, producer and star Vin Diesel had that scene snipped from the film, but now the project is moving ahead, with Deadpool 2’s David Leitch being the frontrunner for the director’s seat.
More: Fast & Furious Spinoff Finds Its Director?
We’ll update you on Red Notice as more information is made available.
Source: THR
