The following cover story appeared in Entertainment Weekly #1493, which you’re able to buyhere.
That is, of course, unless you are the Rock.
Then you are your own brand.
Art Streiber for EW
And everyone likes the Rock.
When youre the Rock, you take the stage at L.A.
Comic Con in late October to chants of Rocky, Rocky, Rocky!
Frank Masi/Sony
and every mention of any project youve ever been involved in elicits a roar.
Your longtime career as a pro wrestler?
Your HBO show,Ballers?
Art Streiber for EW
Cheers.Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which doesnt come out until Dec. 20?
Ill just say that.
And that earns the biggest cheers yet.
Art Streiber for EW
Liking the Rock is about as controversial as liking puppies or chocolate.
Its almost like a reflexive, mechanical reaction.
The Rock probably likes you, too.
(His real name is Dwayne Johnson, but hell answer to Dwayne, Rock, or DJ.)
He may also give you moving tips.
He may resemble a bouncer, but inside that hulking frame is Oprah.
That aspect of Johnsons persona a hardcover stud with a self-actualized center gets particularly resonant play inJumanji.
He stars as an impossibly strong adventurer named Dr. Smolder Bravestone.
From the moment that right eyebrow arches skyward its always the right eyebrow you know youre in good hands.
Hes an unbelievable guy and an unbelievable talent.
But as much asJumanjiembraces classic tropes of a Johnson movie, it also inverts them.
When I was 11, kids thought I was a girl.
I had very soft features.
My Afro was soft; it didnt kink up yet.
So I was still battling my own insecurities.
You should leave happy with the aloha spirit and get on a plane with your leis.
Theres a Polynesian word we have calledmana, which means spirit or power, Johnson explains.
And its so gratifying for mymanato go back.
That honesty about his past is part of what has earned Johnson such a fervent fan base.
Or struggling to make friends at new schools because classmates thought he was an undercover cop.
Ive found that that openness helps other people.
He was going to have to take a path.
He was like, This is who I am.
This is who I want to be.'
That authenticity seems to be working.
Meanwhile, hes earned a reputation as the kindest and hardest-working guy in Hollywood.
