It’s been 15 years since Dwayne Johnson’s last, old-fashioned R-rated action movieFaster, and this is a part of his career he should return to.Dwayne Johnson’s action movieshave (largely) been massively successful in the last decade, with 2011’sFast Fivefinally giving the WWE superstar his movie breakthrough. However, when Johnson first began fronting movies in the early 2000s, he was touted as the natural successor to stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone.
Unfortunately for him, the likes ofDoomdidn’t exactly set the world on fire.Following hisFast Fivebreakthrough, the star has largely avoided overtly violent projects, withDwayne Johnson’s franchisesbeing family-friendly fare likeJumanjiorMoana. In terms of box office, this has served him very well, though conversely, he’s been critiqued for just how samey and bland his movies can feel. After a solid decade of formulaic offerings, Johnson is due a return to his roots.
Faster 2010 Cast & Character Guide
2010’s Faster pairs The Rock with a talented cast of co-stars. Here’s who appears in the movie and what projects you’ve seen them in before.
It’s Been 15 Years Since Dwayne Johnson’s Last R-Rated Action Movie Faster
This 2010 thriller cast Johnson as a vengeful killer
Dwayne Johnson was famously passed over as Jack Reacher for the 2012 movie, which was especially disappointing since he considered himself to be perfect casting for the hulking avenger.It could argued thatFasterwas Johnson’s take onReacher, with the R-rated action thriller finding Johnson’s borderline mute ex-convict killing his way through the gang that murdered his brother. The film grossed $35 million (viaThe Numbers) and only earned a tepid 41% onRotten Tomatoes, andFasteris, to date, Johnson’s last genuine stab at leading an R-rated action flick.
It found the star at an interesting crossroads in his career. None of his previous action roles likeWalking Tallhad fully clicked, and most of his output had been kid’s movies likeThe Game Plan.Fasterwas an attempt to reinvent his screen image, and was modeled on the gritty thrillers of the 1970s and 1980s.The film has found itself a cult following 15 years on, but it did little to boost Johnson’s bankabilityat the time.
Why Johnson Shied Away From R-Rated Movies Following 2010
Johnson hasn’t appeared in a rated R project since 2017
The year afterFaster, Johnson played Hobbs inFast Fiveand the course of his career changed dramatically. He had finally found his screen persona, and began fronting back-to-back blockbusters. It should be noted that much has changed since the heyday of stars like Arnie, with the high-concept blockbusters of yesterday giving way to PG-13 fare.Johnson found his niche within this framework, however, fronting back-to-back hits likeSan Andreas,Rampage, and many others.
For much of the last decade and change, Johnson has established himself as a brand and has worked hard to cultivate that. There is a telling 2018Rolling Stoneprofile on the star where he talked about having the ending ofRampagechanged, as he was upset the movie’s giant gorilla George was supposed to die. He felt this would upset his viewers, who just want him to deliver a good time.
My problem is I have a relationship with an audience around the world. For years I’ve built a trust with them that they’re gonna come to my movies and feel good. So every once in a while, you have to drop this card, which is: You’re gonna have to find another actor. We need to figure something out, otherwise I’m not gonna do the movie.
This formula has paid off commercially - if not necessarily critically.WhileFasteris his most recent R-rated action vehicle, he has sprinkled other R movies along the way, including Michael Bay’s crime dramaPain & Gainor theBaywatchmovie remake. After accepting a Razzie award for the latter, Johnson admitted the film didn’t work out and tellingly has avoided any other R projects in the years since.
Dwayne Johnson Should Return To His R-Rated Action Roots
The Smashing Machine could signal a shift in Johnson’s career
Fasterisn’t a hidden classic, but it is one of Johnson’s most undersung star vehicles. It’s one of his darkest performances, where he tempered down his natural charisma to play a character consumed by revenge. He hasn’t really returned to that mode in the years since, but after so many years of branded PG-13 outings likeRed NoticeorRed One, he needs to change the menu. The good news is thatJohnson will return to more adult-oriented projects with his upcoming A24 biopicThe Smashing Machine.
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Fast X
2023
This covers the career of MMA legend Mark Kerr and looks set to beDwayne Johnson’smost dramatic performance in years. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the film, and the star himself has signaled he’s ready to break away from the formula that has worked so well for him.It would be nice to see him embrace R-rated fare likeFasteragain too, where he can flex both his actionandacting muscles for movies aimed at grown-ups.
Faster
Cast
After being released from prison, James ‘Jimmy’ Cullen seeks out vengeance as a corrupt cop pursues him, along with a hitman hired to kill Jimmy. Dwayne Johnson stars as Jimmy Cullen alongside Billy Bob Thorton as Detective Slade Humphries. Released in 2010, Faster got mixed to negative reviews but managed to make over $10 million at the box office.
Dwayne Johnson
Discover the latest news and filmography for Dwayne Johnson, known for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Fast & Furious.
