Dwayne Johnson always dreamed of making a big Christmas movie that will entertain families every year and in “Red One,” he found the perfect vehicle to make it come true.
“It was just the opportunity to make a holiday movie,” he said in an interview, “and also to make a movie that hopefully had a good message, a lot of action, and fun. Take Christmas lore, flip it, and deliver something great.”
Dwayne Johnson is Callum Drift in "Red One." (Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studious "Red One")
For the action superstar, the heart and miracle of the holiday season have always been about family.
Growing up underprivileged, he shared that his most treasured memories were not about material gifts.
“I remember my first Christmas when our daughter Jazzy was born,” Johnson said. “A couple of days later, it was Christmas. It's usually that—surrounded by family and with being together.”
When it comes to Christmas films, Johnson said his favorite is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The 1946 film, he shared, inspired him to think about gratitude in a new way.
“I'm guilty of this all the time, when you're reaching for something, and the ambition to do something more, the thing you want is way out there, and there's the North Star,” Johnson said, “when a lot of times, the stuff that really matters is right in front of you. Like your family and things that are right here. So don't look past that.”
The Rock costars with Captain America himself, Chris Evans, in the action-filled movie that also delivers a message about the holiday spirit and seeing the good in others and within one’s self.
Chris Evans stars as Jack O'Malley in "Red One." (Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studious "Red One")
Asked about a moment he was given a second chance, Evans quipped: “Sure! Just look at my career from 2000 up till now. I’ve had a lot of second chances.”
In “Red One,” Evans plays a cynical man who has lost connection with what’s good and is estranged from loved ones.
In real life, the actor is the complete opposite.
“It's my favorite holiday,” Evans said of Christmas. “I think it's important to keep your inner child alive. I have really good memories of Christmas with my family—not just getting presents, but having everybody together. That’s something I never want to lose.”
The movie also stars Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons who plays Santa Claus like people never seen the Christmas icon portrayed before.
Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios "Red One"