MSN Movies Blog

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to play Hercules for Brett Ratner

The headline that fills us with disgust

By Corwin Neuse Nov 8, 2012 12:12PM
We generally really like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He's not a bad actor, for a former professional actor. (Wait, what are we saying? Professional wrestling is acting! For the most part. So the fact that he's not bad at it... Shouldn't be much of a surprise.) In fact, of all former wrestlers-turned-act​ors, he might be the best. Actually, let's modify that statement: of all former professional athletes turned actors, he might be the best. Plus he's funny and has an undeniable natural charisma.

On the other hand, asides from the original "Rush Hour," Brett Ratner hasn't really made what we—or anybody else—would call an actually good movie. His presence behind the scenes on a project is usually enough to fill us with disgust, contempt, and a certain hopelessness for the future of humanity. So how are we to take today's news, courtesy of Deadline, that Ratner will direct Johnson in an adaptation of Radical Studios’ graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars?"

What do you think, Hitlisters? Is Johnson a natural for the role? (Yes.) Will Ratner somehow find a way to ruin the movie, like with some hastily done post-production 3D conversion? (Probably.) And who is the best former pro-athlete turned actor? Jim Brown? Carl Weathers? Vinnie Jones? Your top 10 lists, now, in the comments...
< Back to The Hitlist Movies Blog
User Picture
Write a comment...
16Comments
Colman
Nov 9, 2012 12:24AM
avatar
Dwayne  Johnson is terrific in anything he does. Besides being a great guy, he is a natural for a wide variety of roles as an actor. He has the ability to be very funny or very serious depending on whatever he is enlisted to do. My wife and I enjoy experiencing his talents and plan to see the movie when it's released. Go Dwayne!
jimiinpa
Nov 8, 2012 7:24PM
avatar
he would have been a better conan , no love for Fred Dwyer? ( hunter )
Tron8
Nov 8, 2012 11:59PM
avatar
Well Idid learn how to make a stew and be an actor from Carl Weathers...
Colman
Nov 9, 2012 12:52AM
avatar
Thanks Arn. I see you liked Chuck Connors also :-)
Arn Anderson
Nov 9, 2012 12:43AM
avatar

@colman -

 

Best list on here, good job.

Arn Anderson
Nov 8, 2012 9:03PM
avatar

@Alex Perez

 

 - Jason Lee? So Skateboarders are athletes? I think we're stretching the line a bit there...

 

Chuck Conners is definetly #1

Colman
Nov 9, 2012 12:38AM
avatar
Oops, I forgot my list... I can't think of 10

1. Dwayne Johnson
2. Chuck Connors
3. John Amos
4. Chuck Norris
5. Bruce Lee
6. Jackie Chan (got better as time went on)
7. Johnnie Weissmuller
jt2muchtv
Nov 8, 2012 9:49PM
avatar

1. Larry "Buster" Crabbe (Olympic Gold Medal) as Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Tarzan 

2. Herman Brix aka Bruce Bennett (Olympic Gold Medal) as 1st intelligent Tarzan and many starring & supporting roles

3. Johnny Weissmuller (Olympic Gold Medal) as Tarzan & Jungle Jim

4. Rafer Johnson (Olympic Gold Medal) in many roles

5. Mike Henry (football) as Tarzan in the 1960's & Smokey & Bandit films

6. Jim Brown (football ) for Dirty Dozen and many starring roles

7. Bob Uecker (baseball) for commercials, Mr. Belvedere, supporting roles & as himself

8. Chuck Connors (baseball) for Rifleman & Branded

9. Eleanor Holm (Olymic Gold Medal) for her starring & supporting roles

10. Alex Karras (football) for Mongo in Blazing Saddles, Paper Lion, Webster, & more

KenCali
Nov 8, 2012 7:37PM
avatar

1) John Amos

2) Ed O'Neil

3) Carl Weathers

4) Bernie Casey

5) Merlin Olsen

 

Bottom 5:

 

5) Jim Brown

4) Kurt "Gymkata" Thomas

3) Bubba Smith

2) Brian Bosworth

1)  Carl "Get My Money" Lewis (youtube it, trust me)

The Terrible Beauty of Youth
Nov 8, 2012 11:33PM
avatar
Man, is there anybody editing these things before they hit the wire? Some glaring grammatical errors here...
Dundada
Nov 9, 2012 9:30AM
avatar
O.J. SImpson... But not in the Naked Gun Flicks, in the trial of the century.
Cowboynnc
Nov 8, 2012 6:43PM
avatar

@tooOLDtooCare

 

1. HaHa....What were you thinking?

2. Better but not much

3. For a trained monkey faced wanna be he's not to bad

4. Should have stayed in wrestling.....Hollyw​ood killed him

5. Don't even get me started!!

6. Sure I'll buy that......If you like monotonous variations of the same theme

 

For my money, with the exception of The Rock,  pro athletes should stick with sports

 

tooOLDtooCARE
Nov 8, 2012 6:03PM
avatar

Can’t think of 10 but…

1.       Alex Karras

2.       Fred Williamson

3.       Chuck Norris

4.       Andre The Giant

5.       O.J. Simpson

6.       Arnold Schwarzenegger

Alex Perez
Nov 8, 2012 7:41PM
avatar
Umm, I'm not what you'd call a Brett Ratner fan, but Red Dragon was a legitimately good movie.

I wouldn't list The Rock as #1, but he's easily #2. Jason Lee is the best former professional athlete turned actor.
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
showtimes & tickets
Search by location, title, or genre:
How to edit favorite theaters

movie news

More news

top box office

  1. Star Trek Into Darkness -- $70.2M
  2. Iron Man 3 -- $35.8M
  3. The Great Gatsby -- $23.9M
  4. Pain & Gain -- $3.2M
  5. The Croods -- $3M
  6. 42 -- $2.8M
  7. Oblivion -- $2.3M
  8. Mud -- $2.2M
  9. Peeples -- $2.2M
  10. The Big Wedding -- $1.2M
More box office news

follow msn movies

blog roll

the hitlist writers