Despite enormous public support, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will not run for president of the United States in two years.
“Unfortunately I dont see it happening in 2020. Its a position that requires years of hard work and experience to learn the skills. Theres a lot of ground to cover, and due to my schedule, its not possible in 2020,” Johnson said at the New York premiere of his latest movie, Skyscraper, on Tuesday. “I have so much respect for the position. Its something that I seriously considered. What I need is time to go out and learn.”
Johnsons upcoming film slate will keep him busy beyond the next presidential election. The wrestler-turned-movie star is currently shooting Disneys Jungle Cruise with Emily Blunt; has signed on to star with Jason Statham in the Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs and Shaw; will appear in the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, bowing on Dec. 13, 2019; and is also set to play supervillain Black Adam in an eponymous DC Comics adaptation, which is currently in development.
Just dont think this means Johnson was never serious about running for president in the first place. According to Johnsons longtime friend Hiram Garcia, the idea was never a publicity stunt, even when The Rock began floating it in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 election.
“People called for Dwayne to run for president, and as that sentiment started to build up, he really started to respond to it and seriously thought about it,” said Garcia, president of Seven Bucks Productions—Johnsons production company, and the force behind Skyscraper. “Dwayne really does care about the people, and he has great respect for the position that it requires and holds. Whenever we talk about him running for president, hes very aware of the position and knows what is required of it, and he doesnt like to speak loosely about it cause he respects the job, and respects the people and what it took to get there.”
When asked if The Rock would eventually retire from acting and follow in the footsteps of other performers who successfully transitioned into politicians—including Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jesse Ventura, the former wrestler elected governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003—Garcia remained coy.
“You never know what will happen with Dwayne. Nothing is impossible for him. But right now, hes very happy doing what hes doing, cause he knows he can serve the people very well in this position of performing and entertaining.”
Although his political aspirations are on hold, Johnson has plenty of other things going on: he remains one of Hollywoods highest-paid actors, a top box-office draw, a savvy producer, and a social-media star with 109 million Instagram followers. Despite all that, though, The Rock hopes his legacy will revolve around his diligent work ethic rather than his success.
“When its all said and done, I would like to hope I was known as a good father who put in the work to get better as a father and also put in the work to get better as a man,” said Johnson, father to three girls. “I hope I was a great business partner to everyone that I did business with and known for not playing dirty. A handshake and a look in the eye is very important to me, even above a contract—even though we have to get the contract signed!”
The 46-year-old star added, “I hope I will be known as a guy who always tried to find the best in scenarios, even challenging scenarios. Im constantly always looking for the optimistic side of things—and always looking for a great dirty joke.”
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:9 Movie Star Wrap Gifts these Celebrities Will Never Forget
Adam Sandler
Back in 2010, Adam Sandler was so grateful that his dad comedy Grown Ups became a box-office success that he gifted his co-stars Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Kevin James with $200,000 Maseratis.Photo: From Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Chris Rock
Sometimes a wrap gift can be extended for a special work occasion, like the time Chris Rock tapped Tina Fey and Louis C.K. to help him rewrite a movie. After they were done, he sent them both custom Rolex watches with a special message engraved: “Thanks, motherfucker.”Photo: By E. Charbonneau/WireImage.
Gavin Hood
While making X-Men: Origins, Hugh Jackman went fully nude for one of Wolverines escape scenes. The most revealing shots were carefully cut out of the film. But at wrap time, director Gavin Hood presented Jackman with something special: “a bag which had all the film cut off with my dick in it,” Jackman revealed in an interview. “I got frames of film, and I am looking, going, O.K., hello! ”Photo: From 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection.
Oprah
Oprah is probably the most iconic gift-giver of her generation. She lived up to her expectation while on set for Ava DuVernays A Wrinkle in Time, giving the whole cast and crew—which included stars like Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon—$400 Juicero juicers.Photo: By Michael Kovac/Getty Images.
Joe Swanberg
If youre making a movie about booze, the wrap gift might as well fit the theme. In 2013, director Joe Swanberg gifted the cast and crew of Drinking Buddies beer he brewed at home with stars Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson.Photo: From Magnolia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Steven Spielberg
Director Steven Spielberg adored the cast of his romantic drama Always so much that once the movie wrapped, he gave them all (including Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, and John Goodman) fresh Mazda Miatas.Photo: From United Artists/Everett Collection.
Nora Ephron
While remembering the late Nora Ephron in an essay for Time, Tom Hanks revealed a charming little fact about the famous director of films like Sleepless in Seattle. She loved giving trees as wrap gifts, particularly fruit trees. “Rita [Wilson] and I chose orange,” Hanks wrote. “And the fruit has been lovely, sweet and abundant, just as Nora promised—a constant and perfect reminder of the woman we loved so much.”Photo: From Warner Bros/Everett Collection.PreviousNext
Adam Sandler
Back in 2010, Adam Sandler was so grateful that his dad comedy Grown Ups became a box-office success that he gifted his co-stars Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Kevin James with $200,000 Maseratis.From Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Chris Rock
Sometimes a wrap gift can be extended for a special work occasion, like the time Chris Rock tapped Tina Fey and Louis C.K. to help him rewrite a movie. After they were done, he sent them both custom Rolex watches with a special message engraved: “Thanks, motherfucker.”By E. Charbonneau/WireImage.
Gavin Hood
While making X-Men: Origins, Hugh Jackman went fully nude for one of Wolverines escape scenes. The most revealing shots were carefully cut out of the film. But at wrap time, director Gavin Hood presented Jackman with something special: “a bag which had all the film cut off with my dick in it,” Jackman revealed in an interview. “I got frames of film, and I am looking, going, O.K., hello! ”From 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection.
Oprah
Oprah is probably the most iconic gift-giver of her generation. She lived up to her expectation while on set for Ava DuVernays A Wrinkle in Time, giving the whole cast and crew—which included stars like Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon—$400 Juicero juicers.By Michael Kovac/Getty Images.
Cara Delevingne
The shoot for Suicide Squad was famously dark and laced with pranks. (While in character as the Joker, Jared Leto sent his co-stars “gifts” like used condoms and rats.) As a reminder of that time, the cast was gifted gag hand sanitizer with a label that read “Maybe You Touched Your Genitals,” which star Cara Delevingne quickly shared on Instagram.From Warner Bros/Everett Collection.
Naomie Harris
What do you get the Moneypenny who has everything? When Naomie Harris joined the James Bond family to play the secretary turned field agent in Skyfall, producer Barbara Broccoli answered the question by gifting her a diamond bracelet.From Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Joe Swanberg
If youre making a movie about booze, the wrap gift might as well fit the theme. In 2013, director Joe Swanberg gifted the cast and crew of Drinking Buddies beer he brewed at home with stars Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson.From Magnolia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Steven Spielberg
Director Steven Spielberg adored the cast of his romantic drama Always so much that once the movie wrapped, he gave them all (including Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, and John Goodman) fresh Mazda Miatas.From United Artists/Everett Collection.
Nora Ephron
While remembering the late Nora Ephron in an essay for Time, Tom Hanks revealed a charming little fact about the famous director of films like Sleepless in Seattle. She loved giving trees as wrap gifts, particularly fruit trees. “Rita [Wilson] and I chose orange,” Hanks wrote. “And the fruit has been lovely, sweet and abundant, just as Nora promised—a constant and perfect reminder of the woman we loved so much.”From Warner Bros/Everett Collection.
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