Originally posted by IGNWWE is now talking about producing their own movies, but The Rock says his days of donning those tights are in the past. "No. They've been wanted for a long time to get into the movie business and, I'm not too sure, I think like low budget movies, a lot of them straight to video. I think they wanted to and were looking for different distributors. No, my contract is actually up with them, it was up last year, so I'm done…"
That's sounds like some pretty negative feedback concerning his relationship with WWE ... Does this mean a WrestleMania return is out of the question?
Is his WWE movie-production deal done or his entire contract with the WWE? 'Cause letting this guy go would be mighty dumb unless they are that strapped for cash.
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The Rock isn't bringing people to the box offices. He is getting a lot of roles, but how long will he be content not being the star in whatever he is doing. This whole movie career might just not pan out for him. But I think in his mind he has gotten bigger than the business that made him. He is a genuine celebrity, not just a wrsetling star. No wrestler has ever gotten to his level. But the problem is there is really no where to go for him.
I would be shocked if that entire quote was taken from The Rock, of it was somehow taken out of context.
Rock strikes me as too smart a businessman to diss WWE like that on his way out, whether his contract is done or not. And even though the comment isn't a huge burial or anything, the "straight to video" comment might be perceived as pretty negative.
How is this thread not "The Rock says"?!?!? I guess he's been gone too long.
Originally posted by AlessandroThat's sounds like some pretty negative feedback concerning his relationship with WWE ... Does this mean a WrestleMania return is out of the question?
That's exactly where we left this conversation when we last had it two weeks ago...
Originally posted by eviljonhunt81The latest Observer says the Rock and WWE have parted ways, and it looks unlikely he will be back any time soon (i.e. no Wrestlemania appearance).
I presume that since he's not under contract, WWE gets no profit from him doing any movies. He also owns the name "the Rock" now, so they won't be getting money from that.
Originally posted by CANADIAN BULLDOGAnd even though the comment isn't a huge burial or anything, the "straight to video" comment might be perceived as pretty negative.
While negative, it's probably not too far from the truth.
My guess (totally lacking factual evdience, just a hunch) is the WWE wanted star in one of WWE Films' movies, and Rock didn't like the business model and what it could do to his image. But I haven't read Meltzer be specific about the disagreements.
Originally posted by thecubsfanMy guess (totally lacking factual evdience, just a hunch) is the WWE wanted star in one of WWE Films' movies, and Rock didn't like the business model and what it could do to his image. But I haven't read Meltzer be specific about the disagreements.
I'd say that's probably a good hunch. Just resubbed to Observer and left the stack of them at work so I can't look it up. But also on pure speculation the word Rock is getting from those close to him is that his star is just starting to rise.
So he made a couple of mid-grade action flicks that didn't set the box office on fire (neither lost money... and they wouldn't have been more successful if someone else had been in the role. I'd bet if Walken could have one role back in his whole career it would be the one in "Rundown"). Word is after "Be Cool" he doesn't look back, and already having the leads in Johnny Bravo and Spy Hunter assures worst case scenario he's 5-10 years away from being straight to video material.
Still... had to be a hard decision to walk away from the potential sequel to "I Scream Man."
(edited by Barbwire Mike on 9.2.05 1059) Lethalwrestling.com: If you don't read us, you're probably gay
Originally posted by thecubsfanHe also owns the name "the Rock" now, so they won't be getting money from that.
Was that confirmed recently, because the last thing I remember hearing is that Rock didn't own it despite claims to the contrary.
Rock also does an interview in the Debbie Gibson Playboy issue:
Originally posted by The Famous RockPLAYBOY: You were Vince McMahon's biggest star in the WWE. Was there tension during your exit?
THE ROCK: Never. By the time this article comes out, I'll be done with him contractually, but Vince and I are very close. We worked together, my grandfather worked for his dad, and my dad worked for him. He's been as supportive as a dad to me. He knew I loved being in The Mummy Returns. I told him I wanted to break into films with The Scorpion King but that I'd wrestle as well.
I grew up in wrestling. I am proud that my grandfather and dad wrestled. But when I filmed The Scorpion King I worked through the week, and on Sunday I would fly somewhere to do Raw or a pay-per-view. I had no days off, and it almost killed me. I wanted to give 110 percent to acting, and after that I realized I'd have to choose.
The Rock is married. He & his wife have a daughter. Odds are they'll end up having more kids. He made $15,000,000 for Walking Tall, and has never made LESS than $5,000,000 for a film. From what I can remember, The Rock made about $5 million during the peak year of his popularity. That year he worked somewhere near 300 days, probably north of that. The Rock can shoot, say, three or four movies per year and make somewhere around $45,000,000 doing so.
So...young family, less work for more pay...why would he stay?
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Originally posted by Barbwire MikeI'd bet if Walken could have one role back in his whole career it would be the one in "Rundown"
I can't believe you didn't appreciate the subtlety of his performance as Christopher Walken, playing "Christopher Walken playing a bad guy who rules a South American gold mine and its towns folk with an iron fist". None of the other actors in that movie are capable of such GREATNESS.
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Originally posted by Barbwire MikeI'd bet if Walken could have one role back in his whole career it would be the one in "Rundown"
I can't believe you didn't appreciate the subtlety of his performance as Christopher Walken, playing "Christopher Walken playing a bad guy who rules a South American gold mine and its towns folk with an iron fist". None of the other actors in that movie are capable of such GREATNESS.
The worst part is that I actually LIKED Rundown, just hated Walken's role.
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Originally posted by SEADAWGWas that confirmed recently, because the last thing I remember hearing is that Rock didn't own it despite claims to the contrary.
Nope. I'm thinking back to the Austin thing. Maybe that's how they resolved the Austin thing?
Rock also does an interview in the Debbie Gibson Playboy issue:
Oh my, did you actually buy Playboy for the article? The joke cliche couldn't actually ever come true...
Oh - wrestlingDB has the link. (Theoritically safe for your work monitor.)
Originally posted by SEADAWGWas that confirmed recently, because the last thing I remember hearing is that Rock didn't own it despite claims to the contrary.
Nope. I'm thinking back to the Austin thing. Maybe that's how they resolved the Austin thing?
Rock also does an interview in the Debbie Gibson Playboy issue:
Oh my, did you actually buy Playboy for the article? The joke cliche couldn't actually ever come true...
Oh - wrestlingDB has the link. (Theoritically safe for your work monitor.)
Well, he is a wrestling fan.
And a blurb on their frontpage confirms that Christy Hemme gets a feature next month.
Originally posted by CubsNope. I'm thinking back to the Austin thing. Maybe that's how they resolved the Austin thing?
I'm just remembering back to when this was discussed elsewhere a few weeks ago, and our own The Calgary Sun's Michael Jenkinson did a trademark search to confirm that WWE still owns it. He also mentioned a story from the Observer about Austin wanting to get the rights to "Stone Cold" because Rock said he owned "Rock", but Vince said Rock doesn't own it and Dave confirmed that. Somebody wondered if maybe WWE was letting Rock's contract run out so that they could get a bigger cut of his profits in return for letting him use the name, but I haven't seen anyone (as in Dave or Wade) say anything about that particular idea. I thought maybe you'd seen something since that topic came up.
Originally posted by CubsOh my, did you actually buy Playboy for the article?
For Debbie Gibson's boobies! Actually, I'm not even sure if it's out yet, I just saw the Rock interview when I heard about the tease for Christy being in there next month.
"Huge headline. Rock says he's no longer under contract with WWE and won't do Wrestlemania. For more of today's breaking news, set your clocks back three-and-a-half weeks.
The Rock name is not an issue. He can use the name if he chooses to. I believe he wants to be known now as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and is trying to broaden his roles (notable in his coming movie which is a role he took that McMahon didn't want him to).
The Rock loves wrestling. That much I can tell you without any question. For a guy whose schedule is as insane as it is, you have no idea how much time he spent mentally thinking about and coming up with ideas for Wrestlemania this year--ideas that would both mean box office and be entertaining and it was of prime concern the matches wouldn't stink. It's not happening, but it's not by his choice.
As he told me last month, "It was an oddly quiet ending, without any interaction or communication from the front office or the old man (Vince). Surprising to say the least, especially after eight years."
The decision points to the rise of power of his political rival, and that's not Steve Austin."
Originally posted by JustinShapiroFor a guy whose schedule is as insane as it is, you have no idea how much time he spent mentally thinking about and coming up with ideas for Wrestlemania this year--ideas that would both mean box office and be entertaining and it was of prime concern the matches wouldn't stink. It's not happening, but it's not by his choice.
Didn't he say a week or two ago that it was Rock's decision not to do WrestleMania? Thus negating the JBL scenario they planned.
I think I have been to the outlet mall where Daniels buys his man-tini. Joe does need more mic. Minus going full Black Scorpion on this storyline, I think they have done a good with Aces & Eights.