Dwayne Johnson has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most reliable action stars, yet several projects he was involved with never reached audiences. From early career attempts to more recent efforts, these Dwayne Johnson canceled movies highlight ambitions unrealized, despite his enduring popularity and blockbuster success.
The Uncertain Future of Big Trouble in Little China
In 2015, Johnson signed on to reboot the cult classic Big Trouble in Little China, aiming to capture the adventurous spirit of John Carpenter’s original film. The project initially promised a blend of high-concept fantasy, extensive special effects, and a diverse cast aligned with Johnson’s action-star profile. Over time, the remake morphed into a legacy sequel, but enthusiasm waned, particularly from the original film’s creators, Carpenter and lead actor Kurt Russell. The Fox-Disney merger further stalled the film’s development, leaving it largely inactive, making it uncertain whether the movie will ever move forward with Johnson attached.
The Lost Opportunity of a Live-Action Johnny Bravo
Warner Bros once explored a film adaptation of the classic Cartoon Network show Johnny Bravo, with Johnson considered a fitting lead for its musclebound, flamboyant protagonist. Johnson’s natural charisma and comedic timing seemed ideal to embody the Elvis-styled character, who shares traits with his WWE persona. Despite initial excitement, the project faded quietly in development, with no clear plans to revive it, and Johnson’s willingness to return was doubtful given the passage of time and evolving career focus.
Abandoned Plans for G.I. Joe: Ever Vigilant
Johnson helped reinvigorate the G.I. Joe franchise as Roadblock in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, effectively becoming the lead after Channing Tatum’s character was written out early on. While the sequel was commercially successful despite mixed critical reception, the subsequent installment, titled G.I. Joe: Ever Vigilant, struggled in development. With expectations that Johnson and Bruce Willis would return, delays prolonged over five years, ultimately dooming the project. Instead, the series was rebooted in 2021 with Snake Eyes, which did not perform as hoped.
Saints Row Film Adaptation’s Halted Progress
Johnson was connected to a film adaptation of Saints Row, a video game series known for its open-world gameplay and dark humor. The movie concept aimed to blend the tone of John Carpenter’s Escape from New York with the games’ irreverent style, set between key points in the game’s storyline. However, the bankruptcy of the original developer THQ disrupted rights ownership, and the film was shelved. Currently, the project remains in early development with no production timeline, leaving Johnson’s involvement unclear.
Challenges in Bringing Doc Savage to the Big Screen
The pulp era hero Doc Savage, a muscular adventurer and intellectual icon, first hit theaters in the 1975 film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze without much acclaim. Writer Shane Black, a fan of the character, spent considerable effort developing a new adaptation, with Johnson identified as the definitive actor to take on the role. Despite Johnson publicly confirming his attachment, complex rights issues and concerns about the pulp hero’s mainstream appeal stalled progress on the project indefinitely.
The End of the Road for Black Adam 2
After years of development, Johnson’s role as Black Adam marked a significant step in his affiliation with the DC Universe. He claimed that
The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change
during promotion, signaling high hopes for the character’s future. However, underwhelming reviews and box office results for the first film, coupled with a major DC cinematic reboot, led to the cancellation of the planned sequel. The ambitious crossover teased between Black Adam and Henry Cavill’s Superman, hinted at in the mid-credits scene, will no longer be realized.
The Unmade SpyHunter Feature Film
Early in his career, Johnson was heavily involved with the video game adaptation SpyHunter, which included the PS2 game SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run where he portrayed Agent Decker, a driver in a gadget-equipped vehicle. Initially slated to coincide with a film directed by action star John Woo, Johnson remained committed even after Woo’s departure. Despite multiple script rewrites and production delays, the movie never advanced beyond development and has since been shelved.
The Uncertain Status of Red Notice 2
The Netflix hit Red Notice, which paired Johnson with Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, was a streaming success, prompting greenlit plans for sequels. While discussions even considered simultaneous production of parts two and three, no concrete progress has been announced since 2022. Johnson and Reynolds’s other commitments, along with mixed critical reactions, may have contributed to the lack of movement on follow-ups, casting doubt on when or if these sequels will materialize.
The Waning Prospects of San Andreas 2
Following the earthquake disaster thriller San Andreas, which featured Johnson as a rescue pilot racing against time, a sequel entered development focusing on earthquakes along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Although most of the original cast was expected to return, including Alexandra Daddario, who later expressed skepticism about the project’s likelihood, production was repeatedly delayed by Johnson’s busy schedule. More than ten years after the first film, the continuation appears unlikely.
Potential Revival of Johnson’s Passion Project The King
Johnson has expressed a strong personal connection to The King, a historical drama depicting King Kamehameha, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Announced in 2018 with Robert Zemeckis attached to direct and a script by Randall Wallace, the film offers Johnson an opportunity to showcase deeper acting abilities alongside large-scale production elements. Although repeatedly postponed due to scheduling conflicts, the project remains one of Johnson’s most anticipated, with a genuine chance to surface at some point.
