close
close

Mondor Festival

News with a Local Lens

Did Dwayne Johnson Demand a Happy Ending for Rampage?
minsta

Did Dwayne Johnson Demand a Happy Ending for Rampage?

Did Dwayne Johnson Demand a Happy Ending for Rampage?
Dwayne Johnson wanted a happy ending for Rampage?

Yes! Dwayne Johnson told Rolling Stone that he doesn’t want to introduce real sadness into his films. “Life brings that… — I don’t want that in my films. When the credits roll, I want to feel good.

The original ending saw George, the mutated giant ape with a deep connection to Johnson’s character, sacrifice himself to stop the other infected monsters. But Johnson wasn’t having it. “It’s a movie! There’s a crocodile the size of a football stadium – we’re not doing Saving Private Ryan, we’re doing Rampage. In short, he wanted to win. And thanks to his star power, he got one. In the revised version, George survives.

It wasn’t just about Johnson’s love of happy endings. It was about loyalty to one’s audience. “I have a relationship with audiences all over the world,” he explained. Johnson had built a worldwide trust with fans who hoped to leave his films feeling empowered and entertained. Without a happy ending, he felt the trust would be broken.

Johnson’s insistence underlined how crucial his name is to box office success. Rampage became a worldwide hit, grossing over $148 million worldwide on a budget of $120 million. Despite being an adaptation of a video game with a giant gorilla at its heart, the film was wildly successful. Johnson’s ability to attract a global audience was evident, proving that he was still one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Let’s zoom out: Dwayne Johnson isn’t just talking about Rampage. In 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle exceeded expectations, grossing $1 billion worldwide, beating Spider-Man: Homecoming. Additionally, The Fate of the Furious has reached over $1.2 billion worldwide. Why does he keep winning? Versatility.

Over the past decade, he’s been an action star (San Andreas), comedy lead (Central Intelligence), and Disney voiceover pro (Moana). From wrestling fame to blockbuster domination, Johnson brings charisma and commitment to every project.

In a Hollywood where intellectual property often trumps star power, Dwayne Johnson still reigns. He is one of the few who can guarantee success with his name alone. Whether it’s Skyscraper, Jungle Cruise or playing Black Adam in the DC Universe, Johnson’s projects seem like safe bets.
Johnson wasn’t just a star; it became a guarantee.

For more stories like this, check out Hollywood News.

Must read: Madonna sparks outrage for sharing AI-generated snaps with Pope Francis: ‘ridiculously disrespectful’

Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google News