Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, now one of Hollywood’s top-earning actors, nearly broke down on the first day of filming a movie. During an Actors Roundtable, the former WWE star revealed that while shooting his debut film, The Mummy Returns, he was seriously ill and freezing in the scorching Sahara desert. He shared, "We were filming in the Sahara desert in Morocco, and I felt really sick—probably from something I ate. Despite it being 110 degrees, I was cold and wrapped in blankets."
Though a professional wrestler used to pain, Johnson had no idea what to expect as a new actor. He recalled director Stephen Sommers asking if he was okay, to which he responded, "Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s do it." When the director said "Stop," Johnson realized acting was something he wanted to pursue for life. This tough experience ignited a creative passion in him that has never faded.
Johnson explained that WWE wrestling helped prepare him for film in unexpected ways. "Professional wrestling really forced me to listen, just like in theater, and stay alert," he said. Today, Johnson is no longer focused solely on action roles and big paychecks. His latest film, Smashing Machine, gave him a chance to explore deeper emotional themes. He shared, "I had an obsessive desire to do something for myself. Am I living my dream or the dreams of many others?"
In the film, he portrayed MMA legend Mark Kerr, an emotional role that allowed Johnson to dive into rarely seen emotional territory on screen. "Mark seemed invincible but was broken inside," he revealed. From battling the desert heat to the pressures of Hollywood, Johnson’s journey has been challenging, but that first difficult day on set changed everything.
What are your thoughts on The Rock’s transformation from action star to emotionally nuanced actor? Would you like to see more of this side of him? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Fan Take: This story is powerful for WWE fans as it highlights The Rock’s resilience and growth beyond wrestling, showing that the skills honed in WWE can translate to success in other fields. His evolution could inspire current wrestlers to look beyond the ring and embrace diverse opportunities while continuing to elevate the sport’s profile.
