Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is finally clearing up the buzz surrounding his alleged behavior on the set of Red One, his latest film. The high-budget holiday action-comedy, which also stars Chris Evans, sparked rumors that Johnson’s behavior was part of the reason for the film’s reported $250 million budget. According to an April 2024 report, Johnson’s “chronic lateness” supposedly delayed shooting and contributed to production costs, with allegations that he was sometimes up to eight hours late or missed entire days. Another claim involved Johnson relieving himself in bottles on set.
Now, Johnson is addressing the gossip head-on. In a recent interview with GQ, he responded with humor and honesty. When asked about the bottles, he replied with a laugh, “I pee in a bottle. Yeah. That happens.” The Rock has actually mentioned his gym habit before, explaining how he’s known to stay on track with hydration by improvising when bathrooms aren’t nearby.
On the topic of tardiness, Johnson pushed back against the scale of the rumors. “Yeah, that happens too. But not that amount, by the way. That was a bananas amount. That’s crazy. Ridiculous.” He was clear that while he sometimes arrives after the official call time, the scale of the delays was blown out of proportion, calling it “bulls—t.”
Jake Kasdan, Red One’s director, also spoke out to defend Johnson’s reputation. Kasdan, who has worked with Johnson before, emphasized that the actor’s commitment was as professional as ever. “He never missed a day of work ever. He has a lot going on. He can be late sometimes, but such is Hollywood—that’s the case with everybody,” Kasdan said. “Honestly, I’ve made three big movies with him. I’ve never seen him be anything but great to every single person on the set.” Kasdan’s words make it clear that he considers Johnson a dedicated professional whose occasional tardiness didn’t create major issues.
Johnson’s Red One co-star, Chris Evans, also weighed in with a perspective from someone who’s worked with a range of actors. Evans suggested that Johnson’s behavior was well within the norm for Hollywood. “In terms of the guy that I saw, compared to some of the things I’ve seen on other movies with other actors who are not only not conscious of other people’s time and efforts, but they’re unpredictable? I found Dwayne to be—we all know exactly what he’s going to do when he’s going to do it,” Evans shared.
Evans further explained that Johnson’s morning workouts—another rumored delay factor—were well known to everyone on set. But far from being disruptive, this was simply part of the day-to-day plan. “This is something that the producers, the director, and it’s all his team, so they all know this. So it’s all basic. It’s not like he’s late unexpectedly, and I wouldn’t even call it late. He comes in slightly later on certain mornings, but it’s part of the plan. It’s worked into the schedules and everyone knows it, so he shows up when he’s scheduled to show up.” Evans’ comments suggest that any delays were part of a carefully orchestrated production process, rather than unprofessional behavior.
Despite the rumour mill, Johnson is taking the situation in stride, and he’s not one to let unverified stories slide. Addressing the controversy directly, he said, “I’ve said a thousand times: ‘Hey, I’m here. Come and ask me. And I’ll tell you the truth.’” His response speaks to his straightforward personality and preference for open communication.
With Red One set to hit theaters this Friday, it seems Johnson is ready to let his performance do the talking. The film was shot two years ago, and while the production process had its share of rumors, those who worked closely with Johnson have vouched for his professionalism. Kasdan and Evans’ statements reflect a high level of respect for The Rock’s work ethic, even if his routine includes some quirks.
