Dwayne Johnson on His Early Career Struggles: “I Don’t Think I Was Ready for Anything Other Than Easy, Light, Family Films”

These days, Dwayne Johnson is one of Hollywood’s biggest power players, an action superstar, producer, and even a dramatic actor earning serious praise for his upcoming role as MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. But as “The Rock” himself admits, the road to success wasn’t always smooth.

Before he was leading blockbusters and franchise hits, Johnson went through a rough patch of box office disappointments and overly safe family flicks.

For every Southland Tales or Walking Tall, there was Race to Witch Mountain, The Game Plan, or, yes, the Tooth Fairy, the 2010 comedy currently holding a meager 17% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Looking back on those early years, Johnson opened up about why his film choices weren’t connecting the way he hoped. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the actor explained:

“The truth is – and I can look back on that time with real clarity these days – those days, things were a little cloudy. I loved making those movies. I also think I manifested those because I don't think I was ready for anything other than easy, light, family films that made me feel good.”

At the time, Johnson’s personal life was in flux, his divorce from Dany Garcia, who remains his manager today, had him pulling back from emotionally demanding roles. He admitted that period of transition shaped his artistic choices.

“I was trying to figure my stuff out, and that was the only thing that I really wanted to do artistically; I didn't want anything that was going to challenge me to rip my guts out, I wanted stuff that has a happy ending, and so that's what that was.”

Eventually, things changed. Johnson broke free from his creative comfort zone when he joined Fast Five in 2011 as fan-favorite Luke Hobbs. That film reignited his career, leading to a streak of massive hits including Pain and Gain, Jumanji, Moana, and the Fast & Furious sequels.

Now, with The Smashing Machine marking a bold new chapter, Johnson is clearly ready to embrace roles that push him emotionally and physically. It’s a full-circle moment for a performer who once played it safe—and learned from it.

Up next, Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in Disney’s live-action remake of Moana, set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.