The upcoming video game adaptation, RAMPAGE, seeks to prove that no matter what the scenario Dwayne Johnson is always capable of saving the day. Evil women with Bob Marley hair? No problem. Massive earthquakes? Might be difficult…for a mortal man. Now we can add "giant monsters in the city" to that list, and Johnson has detailed the story of the movie, laying out exactly why he will have to use his charm and muscles to save us yet again.
While doing some sit-ups or something at the place I pass to get ice cream, Johnson revealed that the plot surrounds his charater, an anti-poaching unit leader, whose best friend, an albino gorilla, is taken and turned into a savage monster with chemicals, along with an alligator and a wolf. Said beasts want nothing more than to bash and smash, and it's up to Johnson to stop them. Seems like an even fight.
The film will mark another collaboration between Johnson and director Brad Peyton, who directed both JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and SAN ANDREAS. The plot seems to be keeping very close with the game (which gives you a choice to play as a monstrous gorilla, wolf or lizard), adding that human element to give it sort of a 2005 KING KONG vibe. The exceptions are that in this case the whole movie will be city-wide destruction, and will Johnson will not gave time to go ice skating in the park with his gorilla-monster friend.
No video game movie has done anything for me, and with that in mind I’m not ready to get behind RAMPAGE just yet. Could be a fun creature feature, and maybe Johnson’s presence can add something to the proceedings. The key is to embrace the lunacy of it all, and to make the city a playground for the savage beasts. I feel most video game movies try and go too serious, so RAMPAGE has the opportunity to buck the trend. If it doesn't, me no be happy.
Catch Johnson in FATE OF THE FURIOUS now, BAYWATCH on May 25 and then RAMPAGE alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Joe Manganiello, Malin Akerman, Naomie Harris and more April 20, 2018.