Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has already proven himself to be perfect casting as the Skipper in Disney's Jungle Cruise. The movie co-stars Emily Blunt, Jack Whitehall, and Jesse Plemons, and will be simultaneously released in cinemas and on Disney+ Premier Access on July 30th. The action-adventure film has been a long time in the making, originally conceived in 2004, following the previous year's hugely successful Pirates of the Caribbean, and was previously delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on a Disneyland attraction that first debuted in 1955, the riverboat ride takes heavy inspiration from the classic romance The African Queen, whose odd-couple dynamic is incorporated into the new Disney movie. Jungle Cruise follows steamboat captain Frank Wolff (Johnson) as he reluctantly agrees to guide Dr. Lily Houghton (Blunt) and her brother, McGregor (a controversial Whitehall), along the Amazon River to locate a flower with mysterious healing properties. Meanwhile, their mission is endangered by a rival German expedition and supernatural forces.
In a movie that so obviously wants to replicate 1999's The Mummy, the role of Frank requires an actor with charm and a sense of humor to match their potential as an action star. Dwayne Johnson is a natural showman, evidenced by his wrestling roots. His muscular physique and effortless likability have made him one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars, boasting an impressive filmography that transcends his humble beginnings. Johnson has starred in his fair share of action films and family adventures, but it's his comedic timing and self-deprecating roles that make him such a great choice for Jungle Cruise.
Both Johnson's father and grandfather were wrestlers, leading him to step into the ring himself. He wasn't instantly popular, so altered his clean image into one of a villainous trash-talker. He referred to himself in the third person as The Rock, but his charismatic persona quickly set him on a track to stardom. Johnson's acting career started on shaky ground, with his stunt casting in 2001's The Mummy Returns as the villain the Scorpion King most memorable for its dreadful CGI. However, his physicality made him a natural fit for the action genre, developing a more noble spinoff for the character while indulging in rougher characters like antagonist Hobbs in the Fast & Furious series. Johnson's mix of heroic and nefarious characters allows him to bring a level of seriousness to Jungle Cruise's story and action sequences. He's a formidable opponent for any enemy without relinquishing his likability, with Disney's Moana subverting expectations by Johnson delivering a more comedic turn that appropriately balances arrogance with vulnerability.
Johnson is undoubtedly capable of tackling the many dangers lurking in the Amazon, but it's more than just his brawn that makes his Jungle Cruise casting perfect. He is adept at the adventure genre, headlining Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and two Jumanji sequels. Both franchises were elevated by Johnson's amiable and playful nature. Jungle Cruise leans heavily on comedy, and the Disneyland ride is well-known for its steamboat captains bombarding guests with cheesy jokes. The movie needs an actor at once believable as an action hero but retaining self-awareness to counteract the story's absurdities. Like The Mummy's Brendan Fraser, The Rock's movies have repeatedly shown his willingness to poke fun at himself, whether as part of a gang of idiotic criminal bodybuilders in Pain & Gain or the fanny-pack-wearing government agent in Central Intelligence. He also lent a suave charm to HBO's comedy-drama Ballers, suggesting his romantic potential as the daring Skipper opposite Blunt's scientist.
Johnson already has a successful working relationship with Disney, and his star power will surely benefit Jungle Cruise at the box office. Had the movie been made 10 years ago, it would have been ideal for Brendan Fraser. It's fitting Johnson has evolved from a supporting player to one adventure movie to the lead in another, given how clearly indebted Jungle Cruise is to The Mummy.
