This Week in Gossip #25

Dwayne Johnson's always late, Chris Hemsworth is sad about Thor 4, FKA Twigs goes AI, and Kendrick is hating.

1. Dwayne Johnson Faces Criticism of Chronic Lateness and Expensive Delays on Set of Red One

According to a new report from TheWrap, Dwayne Johnson is a tardy boy. In a report by Umberto Gonzalez, Johnson's alleged lateness and unprofessionalism on the set of his upcoming Christmas action movie Red One led to budget increases and a major dent in the actor's reputation. "Insiders told TheWrap that Johnson showed up as much as eight hours late to set on the movie — forcing the crew to shoot around him on some days."

(Full disclaimer: I am a freelancer who has written for TheWrap on several occasions.)

Johnson’s image was impenetrable for many years. He was consistently heralded as the most likeable and universally appreciated A-List figure in Hollywood, someone who was loved by fans across the political and cultural spectrum. His films made a lot of money and helped him to build a brand that included a tequila line and investment in the XFL. He was so beloved that he managed to spend years of our lives teasing the possibility of a Presidential run. Truly, he really made it seem conceivable that The Rock would enter politics. Over the past 18 months or so, things started to wane. He spent all that time hyping up Black Adam as the next step for the DC Universe, only for it to underperform and be sidelined once James Gunn took over. He crawled back to the Fast & Furious franchise, which gave Vin Diesel one over him in their rivalry (but also f*ck that guy.) He’s now back in the WWE where fans seem to have warmed to his villain arc, although it started out shakily. He recently lamented “getting political” in endorsing Joe Biden in 2020 because it upset some of his fans and has now vowed to sit such things out. He seems like less of a sure bet than ever.

So, the timing of this piece is certainly indicative of something. You only knock down the a-holes when it’s not financially inconvenient to do so. And as the piece by TheWrap alleges, this is a pattern of behaviour for Johnson across several projects. He was "regularly three to four hours later to set" for his HBO show Ballers. On Rampage, "Johnson was late an average of four to five hours daily, with one costar keeping records of his tardiness, according to two insiders." He also apparently refuses to work "more than a four-or five-hour day" said one studio insider, but he always makes room for his three-hour daily workout. "It's a control thing." Remember, a major part of Johnson’s image is as the hardest working man in showbiz. This directly contradicts that façade in a big way.

As does the report from insiders that Johnson broke quarantine rules during a lockdown-impacted production to fly home on his private jet. The rest of the cast and crew were sequestered but not him. And then there’s all the pee. Yup. Johnson has, weirdly, already admitted to peeing in water bottles when he's just too focused on his workout to find a bathroom. Now, allegedly, he's urinating in Voss water bottles (expensive) and expecting PAs to clean up after him. TheWrap did not speak to any insiders who said this occurred on Red One, though. So, progress?

It’s a long and scathing piece that certainly shows a lot of axes being ground by entertainment figures. So, why now? Is it just because Johnson’s professional clout is at a low point? Is Red One such a disaster that they need to ensure that Johnson takes all the blame many months in advance? There are certainly plenty of denials in the piece too, people to ensure us that Johnson is just as much of a hard-working gentleman as he's crafted himself to be. But if all of this stuff is true, then it’s those same insiders lambasting him who tolerated and probably abetted it for years because it benefitted them to do so. Peeing in bottles, chronic lateness, total disregard for your job and colleagues… that doesn’t happen without a hell of a lot of people more powerful than Johnson either turning a blind eye or excusing such behaviour.

If Red One is good or at least makes money, these problems will probably disappear. It’ll be an uphill battle, though, since its reported budget is over $250 million, meaning it needs to make about $650 million just to break even (on paper.) Maybe these too-big-to-fail movies, combined with a-hole actions being increasingly called out, are why Johnson is downsizing with his next project. He’s gone prestigious with an A24 drama, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie of the Safdie Brothers. That one is expected to start shooting this month. TheWrap’s article seems sceptical that things will be straightforward with that production.

Johnson has spent so long being extremely successful, but also being very good at the act of being famous. There aren’t many celebrities who seem to actively enjoy the experience and demonstrate immense aptitude with its tricky process. Tom Hanks is one. I think Zendaya is an up-and-coming example. Johnson was king of this until the foundations started to shake. Can he stay on top? I think that’s dependent on him getting his act together, if these many allegations are true, but also in dealing with a changing film market where billion dollar grosses are not a guarantee for him anymore. I think he can still open a film on name value alone but not with a $200m+ budget. In fairness, that’s a dying concept in 2024. Let’s see how his attempt at Oscar bait goes.

Also, stop peeing in bottles, you weirdo.

2. Chris Hemsworth Blames Himself for Failure of Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor: Love and Thunder wasn't very good. It was definitely a step down from Thor: Ragnarok, which is one of the best films in the MCU and brought some much-needed silliness to the franchise. But the follow-up was too tongue-in-cheek for its own good, prizing bad jokes over pathos. It undercut the heart of Jane’s cancer story and the stakes felt pointless as a result. The film made money but not as much as its predecessor, plus it cost more to make. Nobody seems to think fondly of it, and that includes the leading man himself, Chris Hemsworth. He’s on the cover of the latest issue of Vanity Fair to promote Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. “I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself,” he says. “I didn’t stick the landing.”