Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest film, Hercules, goes on general release today. It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of The Rock here at M&F, and this is his coming out party in the lead role of a major summer blockbuster (the production budget for Hercules was $100 million). We’ve chartered his journey during and after the making of the movie, and here are some Rock-related facts about the film.Photo Courtesy of The Rock
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The Rock Wanted This Role Since Childhood
In a recent Reddit AMA, The Rock revealed that he has been captivated by this role since he was a young kid. “When I was 5 years old, I was in awe of the late great Steve Reeves’ movie poster of him as Hercules. I saw it in a gym when I used to go hang with my dad while he and his buddies worked out. I remember then being captivated by that iconic look. To be able to bring that to life—make a movie for a generation is a dream come true (and very f’n cool).”Photo Courtesy of The Rock
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The Rock Worked Out Like a MotherF***er for This Role
The Rock had to work out twice a day and shoot for 12 hours while on location in Budapest, Hungary. The above seven-meal-a-day plan is how he fueled his body to do it.Photo Courtesy of The Rock
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Hercules’ Beard Came from Yaks’ Balls
Every day, for 95 days, The Rock would sit in a make-up chair while his Academy Award-winning make-up artists transformed him into Hercules. Part of that transformation, which took three-and-a-half hours, would be to paste strips of hair taken from the testicles of yaks onto Dwayne Johnson’s face to give him a Herculean beard. That, my friends, is dedication.Photo Courtesy of The Rock
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Hercules’ Wife is Ridiculously Hot
The role of Hercules’ wife (Megara) in the movie is played by Russian supermodel/actress Irina Shayk. Shayk has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition and is featured in the July/August issue of M&F. “It was really great to work with Dwayne, he’s very professional,” said Shayk, according to British Vogue. “He helped me a lot, just him being there, looking at me, really helped. I felt very attached to my ‘husband,’ which made it easier for me.” This shot of the pair, taken while the two were promoting the movie in London, was posted on the Rock’s Instagram with the following message: “Great work and fun in London w/ the on screen beautiful wifey @IrinaShayk Good thing she has a helluva sense of humor cause she’s tough to look at. #HubbyHerc #OnMySuitAndTie ##HERCULESMovie”Photo Courtesy of The Rock
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Ridiculously Hot
In case you did not fully grasp it, this lady is pretty damn beautiful. Shayk is also the girlfriend of soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Photo Courtesy of Irina Shayk
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The Rock Blacked Out Eight TImes to Get One Shot Right
The Rock was not playing when it came to putting all of himself into the role. Check out his version on the eight takes it took to get this pivotal scene just right. “I asked the prop department to lock me in with real steel chains that I couldn’t break, so the performance would be real. When HERCULES finally accepts his fate of being the son of Zeus, it’s THE epic moment of the mythology – and our movie. We shot this scene 8 times – I blacked out every time. Down to my knees. Well worth the fun pain.. this moment is iconic. I’m excited for you to see it… #HercDontLikeBlackingOut #Happily”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest film, Hercules, goes on general release today. It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of The Rock here at M&F, and this is his coming out party in the lead role of a major summer blockbuster (the production budget for Hercules was $100 million). We’ve chartered his journey during and after the making of the movie, and here are some Rock-related facts about the film.
In a recent Reddit AMA, The Rock revealed that he has been captivated by this role since he was a young kid. “When I was 5 years old, I was in awe of the late great Steve Reeves’ movie poster of him as Hercules. I saw it in a gym when I used to go hang with my dad while he and his buddies worked out. I remember then being captivated by that iconic look. To be able to bring that to life—make a movie for a generation is a dream come true (and very f’n cool).”
The Rock had to work out twice a day and shoot for 12 hours while on location in Budapest, Hungary. The above seven-meal-a-day plan is how he fueled his body to do it.
Every day, for 95 days, The Rock would sit in a make-up chair while his Academy Award-winning make-up artists transformed him into Hercules. Part of that transformation, which took three-and-a-half hours, would be to paste strips of hair taken from the testicles of yaks onto Dwayne Johnson’s face to give him a Herculean beard. That, my friends, is dedication.
The role of Hercules’ wife (Megara) in the movie is played by Russian supermodel/actress Irina Shayk. Shayk has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition and is featured in the July/August issue of M&F. “It was really great to work with Dwayne, he’s very professional,” said Shayk, according to British Vogue. “He helped me a lot, just him being there, looking at me, really helped. I felt very attached to my ‘husband,’ which made it easier for me.” This shot of the pair, taken while the two were promoting the movie in London, was posted on the Rock’s Instagram with the following message: “Great work and fun in London w/ the on screen beautiful wifey @IrinaShayk Good thing she has a helluva sense of humor cause she’s tough to look at. #HubbyHerc #OnMySuitAndTie ##HERCULESMovie”
The Rock Blacked Out Eight TImes to Get One Shot Right
The Rock was not playing when it came to putting all of himself into the role. Check out his version on the eight takes it took to get this pivotal scene just right. “I asked the prop department to lock me in with real steel chains that I couldn’t break, so the performance would be real. When HERCULES finally accepts his fate of being the son of Zeus, it’s THE epic moment of the mythology – and our movie. We shot this scene 8 times – I blacked out every time. Down to my knees. Well worth the fun pain.. this moment is iconic. I’m excited for you to see it… #HercDontLikeBlackingOut #Happily”
