Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
May 3, 2025
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This is a love letter. From me—and, let’s be honest, from every movie-lover who’s ever cried watching ‘The Game Plan’ or cheered watching any of ‘The Fast and Furious’ films.
Thank you. For being courageous enough to play a tutu-wearing tooth fairy one year, and a skyscraper-jumping action hero the next. For making us laugh, making us believe, and making “You’re Welcome” a song we still scream in the car with the windows down.
You didn’t just shape our childhoods—you showed us that masculinity can be funny, soft, charming, and powerful all at once. You’ve body-slammed stereotypes, danced through Disney, and somehow managed to become a WWE legend and a scene-stealing movie icon at once.
Dwayne Johnson isn’t just a movie star—he’s a genre of his own. From the wrestling ring to the Disney stage to high-octane action blockbusters, Johnson has proved time and time again that there’s no role he can’t take on.
The reason? He doesn’t act like a character. He becomes it, making his roles with equal parts humor, charm, and a grounded emotionality that makes even the most ridiculous premises (‘Tooth Fairy’) feel authentic.
He’s the rare actor who can go from flexing his muscles in a helicopter rescue mission to reading bedtime stories onscreen—and make both feel equally believable.
So, how do you even begin to rank a filmography as expansive and iconic as Dwayne Johnson’s? With love, respect, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Here are the five roles that define him—at least for now.
Although I haven’t seen every ‘Fast & Furious’ movie Dwayne Johnson has been in, this review is based on what I have seen—and what I’ve heard. When Johnson entered the ‘Fast & Furious’ universe as Luke Hobbs, he brought a new energy to the already turbo-charged series. With his deadpan humor, enormous physicality, and that signature eyebrow raise, Hobbs was the perfect foil to Dominic Toretto’s stoicism. He made action scenes look easy and banter feel like an art form.
#4- Mitch Buchannon in ‘Baywatch’
The 2017 make of ‘Baywatch’ had it all. It was humor, action-packed, and creative. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, and Alexandra Daddario (‘White Lotus‘, ‘Percy Jackson’), it brought the iconic lifeguard team into the modern era with a good dose of nostalgia. Johnson’s role as Mitch Buchannon gave the film the perfect balance of tough and lovable, making him the heart of the movie amid the chaos. It was sort of a parody of the original, which made it all the more entertaining.
#3- Joe Kingman in ‘The Game Plan’
In one of his earliest family roles, Johnson plays a self-absorbed quarterback who discovers he has a daughter. The emotional evolution in ‘The Game Plan’ is what makes it so special. He’s funny, vulnerable, and totally unforgettable. This is a feel-good movie that I’d watch again, again, and again.
#2- Maui in ‘Moana’
This film honestly feels like it was made for Dwayne Johnson. As Maui—the hilarious, larger-than-life, singing demigod—The Rock is perfectly cast. No one else could’ve pulled off that mix of charm, ego, and heart quite like him. Even in animated form, he brings so much of his real-life charisma to the role, making every line feel effortless and authentic. It’s like he’s just being himself—only with magical powers and a giant fish hook. The live-action ‘Moana’ remake is also officially on the way, with Johnson returning as Maui set to hit theaters July 2026.
#1 – Derek Thompson in ‘Tooth Fairy’
It takes a special kind of star power to wear wings and glitter and still maintain credibility. Johnson somehow does it all in ‘Tooth Fairy’, playing a cynical hockey player forced to believe in magic. It’s campy, it’s charming, and it reminds us that tough guys can have soft sides too. I’ll admit—this might be a personal favorite. The film also features Ashley Judd, a star of the ’90s and 2000s, and Julie Andrews, everyone’s favorite movie grandma—especially in ‘The Princess Diaries’, which, by the way, is currently getting a third installment with the original cast, including Anne Hathaway.
With a live-action remake of ‘Moana’ set for July 2026, fans are already buzzing about Johnson’s return as Maui.
This time, we get to see the hair, the tattoos, and the hook in real life. We also get to revisit one of Disney’s most emotionally rich stories, now with a fresh visual lens.
So far, there’s not too much to say. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui, and Catherine Laga’aia will star as Moana. The film is being produced again by Johnson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Auli’i Cravalho (who voiced Moana in the original).
There’s talk that Zendaya could be a foreseeable character in the film, but nothing has been confirmed.
If Johnson brought charisma to the animated role, expect the live-action version to lean even more into his physical comedy and screen presence.
The live-action format gives us a chance to see him in his element—joking, singing, and carrying the narrative with that effortless balance of bravado and heart.
So what exactly makes Dwayne Johnson so compelling? It’s the formula he’s perfected: humor, heart, and heroism.
He makes us laugh, tugs at our heartstrings, and inspires us to be brave. His characters are often larger-than-life, yet he plays them with such sincerity that we feel like we know them.
He redefines masculinity in the media. In an industry that often equates strength with silence, Johnson shows that real strength includes vulnerability, goofiness, and compassion. His heroes cry. They dance. They believe in magic.
Beyond the Screen: The Rock as a Real-Life Role Model
It doesn’t stop when the cameras cut.
Off-screen, Johnson is just as magnetic. His Instagram is a goldmine of dad jokes, motivational workouts, tequila shout-outs, and heartfelt moments with fans.
He talks openly about mental health and gratitude, shares the ups and downs of fatherhood, and never misses a chance to give back.
Whether he’s surprising kids at hospitals, posting touching tributes to his daughters, or just making us laugh during gym sessions, Johnson reminds us that kindness and authenticity are part of true celebrity.
A Final Thank You
So, Dwayne, thank you. For making us believe in fairies, in family, in heroes who aren’t afraid to wear pink. For being the ultimate action star with the heart of a Disney prince. For being the voice in our childhood and the face of courage in our adulthood.
In a world that moves fast and often forgets to laugh, you’ve given us both joy and strength. And for that, we say it again:
You’re welcome.
What’s Next for “The Rock” and Similar Faces?
We can see Dwayne Johnson reprise his role as Maui in the ‘Moana’ live-action remake set to be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in July 2026.
Johnson is also staring in Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’, alongside Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt releasing in theaters October 3rd.
Anne Hathaway is set to reprise her role as Mia Thermopolis, stepping back into the shoes of Genovia’s beloved royal—alongside everyone’s favorite Genovian grandma, Julie Andrews. While details about ‘The Princess Diaries 3’ haven’t been officially released, the film is currently in production.
By Emma Gladstone
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
