DJ admitted he was a little stunned by the rejection, especially given that those around him had ensured him that the role was his.With a current net worth north of $320 million, we really don’t feel all that bad for Dwayne Johnson and the role he missed out on because of Tom Cruise.
Clearly, his career didn’t suffer from the snub and if anything, the year after the Cruise film was released, Dwayne had his finest year as an actor, appearing in four major films in 2013. In addition, during 2012, he had a huge year, and the film he ultimately worked that year, out-earned Tom’s film, making over $335 million at the box office… not too shabby.
Still, at the time, DJ admitted he was a little stunned by the rejection, especially given that those around him had ensured him that the role was his.
The actor was down due to the decision, though looking back, he calls it a blessing and he shows nothing but gratitude towards the decision.
As for Cruise, he thrived in the spot and it only made sense that he was cast in the film.
Let’s take a look at how not getting the role changed Johnson’s career, along with which film Cruise was taken over DJ.
Back To ‘WrestleMania’ & ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’
Sure, getting the role would’ve been huge, but performing in front of 78,000 plus fans might be even better, depending on who you ask.
That’s right, Dwayne got back in the ring for a dream match against John Cena.
Making things that much more special, the event took place in Miami Gardens, DJ’s home. Film-wise, things were just as profitable, The Rock got to work on ‘Journey 2; The Mysterious Island’. The movie soared at the box office, bringing in $335 million.
DJ also appreciated the experience from the film and how much creative freedom he was ultimately given.
“I was in the mood to make an epic 3D adventure because 3D is something I’d never done before. I’d spent nearly two years playing intense roles, so I wanted to make a big, fun movie. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was the answer.”
“I had a lot of input into the movie and the character, which is why I became a producer on the project. The singing in the movie and the ‘pec pop’ scenes were all my ideas.”
It was a great change of pace, as he got to work alongside a young cast. Fast forward to 2013, and DJ clearly established himself as a major star, appearing in not one, but four smash hits.
Among the list includes ‘Snitch’, ‘Pain & Gain’, G.I. Joe Retaliation’ and perhaps the biggest, ‘Fast & Furious 6’ (which made close to $800 million at the box office). It all worked out, though it is interesting to think how DJ might’ve done in this Tom Cruise film.
He Was Passed For ‘Jack Reacher’
It was a rude awakening, as DJ assumed he was a lock for ‘Jack Reacher’ because of his look. “In Hollywood, actors are kind of like in-a-box. There are actors that can vie for a particular role because it allows for them to have a certain look, skin color, size, etc.”
“Fortunately, for me, there aren’t a lot of guys at all who look like me. So, all of my roles, from the beginning of my career, I’ve been a lucky son of a bitch that they’ve been created and designed for me — except Jack Reacher.”
What hurt the most was the fact that DJ’s people were convinced the role was his, even though he wasn’t all that sure at the start.
“I got the call saying ‘Hey, you didn’t get the role’ Look, I didn’t even know if I had a shot for it, but the people around me at that time made me think that I did. I felt like I did, I felt like ‘Why not me?’”
Nowadays, DJ has a great outlook on the fact that he missed out on the role. In his view, he wasn’t ready for it and Cruise was capable of doing a much better job with the role.
“I’m positive that the role of Jack Reacher, because it was an established character, an IP that was well known and beloved around the world, that I wouldn’t have had the creative space to do what I wanted with the character. I look back in gratitude that I didn’t get Jack Reacher.”
The film scored at the box office, bringing in $218 million. Ultimately, it worked out for everyone involved.