Fans Celebrate and Mock as Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About His Hollywood Dreams at 'The Smashing Machine' Press

Published 09/01/2025, 9:26 AM EDT

Dwayne Johnson has become a cinematic force, effortlessly moving from the adrenaline-fueled action of Fast Five to the family-friendly adventure of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Audiences have admired his charisma, humor, and unwavering dedication, though some critics note repetition in his roles. His evolution from wrestling superstar to Hollywood icon highlights his ambition, versatility, and creative drive. As Johnson now seeks projects that challenge him and reveal deeper layers of his craft, his choices continue to spark curiosity, and occasionally leave fans divided.

At the Venice Film Festival press event for Benny Safdie’s wrestling biopic The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson discussed his desire to embrace more challenging, personal roles. Sitting alongside director Benny Safdie and co-star Emily Blunt, he reflected on his career and asked, “Am I living my dream or am I living other people’s dreams?” Known for blockbuster hits and larger-than-life action adventures like Black Adam and Red Notice, Johnson expressed a hunger to explore raw, intense, and deeply emotional performances. However the remark has fans celebrating and mocking Johnson.

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Dwayne Johnson also paid tribute to UFC champion Mark Kerr, whose life the film chronicles, including his victories, struggles with painkillers, and relationship with Dawn Staples. Under extensive prosthetics, Johnson became nearly unrecognizable, impressing Emily Blunt. He praised her support, crediting her encouragement from their previous collaboration on Jungle Cruise for helping him channel personal experiences into his performance. Yet fans have not let his words about the kind of role he desires go unnoticed, sparking widespread conversation.

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Fan reactions to Dwayne Johnson’s hollywood dream sparked a whirlwind of opinions, from sharp criticism questioning his motives to enthusiastic praise applauding his daring shift.

Dwayne Johnson pushes boundaries, fans react with praise and criticism

Fans flooded the comment sections with a mix of praise and skepticism regarding Dwayne Johnson’s shift toward more personal, dramatic roles. Some applauded his courage to step away from familiar action formulas, celebrating his pursuit of fulfillment beyond box office numbers. Others were cynical, suggesting his motivations remain financial, pointing to past blockbuster success and claiming the move is strategic rather than heartfelt. Reactions also speculated on his physical transformation and reflected on whether audiences would embrace films not built for mass appeal.

Fan reactions continued flooding in relentlessly, mixing praise and skepticism, showing no signs of slowing down.

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Dwayne Johnson’s comments about his desired roles sparked a wave of mixed fan reactions. Many applauded his bold career shift, praising his willingness to explore vulnerability and noting his striking physical transformation for the role. Yet others were quick to criticize, accusing him of pursuing the project for financial gain or questioning his motives, mirroring the trolling he faced after Oppenheimer and Red One. Despite the divided opinions, one fact remains clear: whether admired or doubted, Johnson commands attention, commanding the spotlight both in the wrestling ring and on the silver screen.

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What do you think about Dwayne Johnson’s Hollywood dreams? Let us know in the comments below.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

928 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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