The Rock always seems to be a bridesmaid, never a bride when it comes to action franchises. Not saying he hasn't had relatively successful action movies he's headlined (including THE RUNDOWN or HERCULES), but neither have led to actual, viable franchises. And the ones he is a part of (like the FAST AND FURIOUS series), he was a late addition as "Franchise Viagra", but not so much as a "Franchise Starter".
Maybe this will change soon, as he currently has SAN ANDREAS 2 and BLACK ADAM in the works, but also a new action film called SKYSCRAPER (not to be confused with the 1996 Anna Nicole Smith "classic"). Anyway, here's the official synopsis, according to Deadline:
Johnson plays a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran Will Ford, who now assesses security for skyscrapers. On assignment in China he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it, and now he’s on the run, and he has to save his family in the building.
Gotta get that China money. Otherwise it honestly sounds like it could be fun, if done right. I mean, I like Johnson, and feel he can definitely carry his own franchise if given the right material. And if you think this "Will Ford" character is unlikely to start one, just check out how many movies are based on John McClane simply being "at the wrong place, at the wrong time". You can make an action franchise out of anyone.
Either way, The Rock will erect SKYSCRAPER July 13th, 2018.
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