Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, celebrated for his charm and work ethic, is facing serious allegations regarding his professionalism on the set of his upcoming holiday film, Red One. Reports suggest that Johnson’s alleged chronic lateness and lack of commitment have contributed to an astronomical production budget, ballooning to an eye-watering $250 million.
Originally intended for a Christmas 2023 release, Red One—which stars Johnson alongside Chris Evans and centers around the kidnapping of Santa Claus—has experienced significant delays. Insiders claim that Johnson has shown up as much as eight hours late on multiple occasions, forcing production crews to work around his absence. “Seven to eight hours late is no longer late; that’s tomorrow,” one insider remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Despite Johnson’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s biggest box office draws, this new narrative paints a troubling picture. His dedication to fitness, often cited as a hallmark of his character, has reportedly come at the expense of his on-set commitments. Allegations have surfaced that Johnson has missed entire filming days, exacerbating production delays and leading to rising costs that insiders estimate have added over $50 million to the budget.
Historically, Johnson has been portrayed as a hard worker, with anecdotes of him peeing in a water bottle on set to avoid wasting time. However, these new allegations suggest a different reality, prompting questions about his ability to manage multiple high-profile projects simultaneously. The film’s production team, including Johnson’s own company, Seven Bucks Productions, is reportedly feeling the strain, as crew members have been left idle due to his frequent absences.
In response to these accusations, a spokesperson for Amazon MGM, which is producing Red One, firmly denied any claims of Johnson’s laziness or lateness. The statement emphasized that Johnson has been a tremendous partner and that the film’s potential to connect with audiences remains strong.
As the situation develops, the contrast between Johnson’s established public persona and these insider accounts raises critical questions about the pressures faced by stars juggling numerous commitments. With Red One now slated for a November 2024 release, fans and industry watchers will be keen to see how these allegations impact Johnson’s career and the film’s reception. Will he be able to dispel these claims and reaffirm his status as Hollywood’s hardest worker, or will this controversy overshadow his legacy?
