One day, Dwayne Johnson saw something while shooting his new film Red One, which changed his entire thinking. Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer made a deep impact on Johnson. He says, “When I saw Oppenheimer, I felt that my film should also be shown in the same way, that is, in IMAX theaters.” After this, Johnson and director Jake Kasdan decided together that Red One should be shown on the big screen, even though initially there was a thought of launching it on a streaming platform.
The release of Oppenheimer made Johnson realize the importance of the theater experience. The film is not only a historical story, but also a cinematic experience that completely captivates the audience. Johnson understood that such films should be watched in IMAX, as the audience can feel every moment of the film through a big screen and a powerful sound system. He thought, “If Oppenheimer can be shown like this, then my film can also be a great theater experience.”
It's gonna… rock! See what we did there, @TheRock? #RedOneMovie pic.twitter.com/H0pvoZSaG3
— IMAX (@IMAX) November 11, 2024
Red One was initially planned to be released on the streaming service, but the Hollywood strikes in 2023 shook the entire industry. In such a situation, Amazon changed its strategy and decided to release the film in theaters. After a year’s delay, Johnson hoped that his film’s Christmas time slot would attract people. But something else happened, and critics described the film as a ‘disappointing holiday movie’.
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Johnson’s decision to show the film in IMAX
Never thought that so many small and big changes could happen in a film. It was a challenge for Johnson to release Red One in IMAX. He said, “I felt that my film could give the same experience that Oppenheimer gave.” But according to Johnson, the purpose of releasing the film in theaters was not only the grandeur and the brilliant technical aspects, but also how the audience could get immersed in the story in the Christmas atmosphere. He believed that this film could be even more attractive on the big screen.
But the question here is, was Johnson’s decision right? Can Red One really be as attractive in IMAX as Oppenheimer was? Critics completely rejected it. Many critics wrote in reviews of the film that there is no special chemistry between Johnson and Evans. Still, Johnson believed that the audience would experience the film better in the theater.
In fact, Red One’s 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes proves that expectations about the film’s success were not very high. People did not enjoy the film much. But Johnson also admitted that he knew the reviews would be mixed. How a filmmaker who knows that every film will be questioned in Hollywood, reacts can only be known by those who have experienced it themselves.
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Johnson’s confidence in the face of criticism
Now we can see that Johnson’s confidence is reflected in his success as well. Despite criticism, Dwayne Johnson never questions his efforts. Despite the failure of Red One, Johnson says, “I have always made my films with a lot of hard work and heart. If people don’t like it, I’ll still do it.“
There is also the question of whether the purpose of making a film is just to do well at the box office, or to convey some important message to the audience. When Johnson first made Red Notice, his goal was to have a hit film, but he never thought that it would be released in IMAX theaters. But Oppenheimer taught him something new.
The original idea of Red One was based on a secure North Pole and the stressful experience after the kidnapping of Santa Claus. The lack of chemistry between Johnson and Evans is what has been said, and it turns out to be the weak point of the film. Still, Johnson is very confident about his films. He always says, “Remember, no film can be perfect.” And that’s probably the reason why he never gives up.
Lastly, Johnson saying that Red One should have been released in IMAX is an interesting idea in itself. Was he right? Probably not, but Johnson’s intention has always been to give the audience the best experience, be it the film or his fitness.
Source: IMAX