- Claims Dwayne Johnson’s behavior – including epic lateness – added $50 million to budget of Red One
- Budget for Red One, out later this year, now stands at $250 million
- Amazon MGM has issued a statement denying claims
It has been alleged that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s unprofessional behavior on the set of upcoming Christmas movie Red One – including turning up eight hours late for filming – put an extra $50 million on the budget of the film.
A report from The Wrap alleges that Johnson – who recently appeared at the WWE showpiece WrestleMania event – would often show up to set seven or eight hours later than scheduled, according to unnamed insiders. It is also said he refused to work more than five hours per day.
The budget for the film has ballooned to $250 million, in part due to Johnson’s behavior, but also mismanagement from those in charge, including producer Hiram Garcia, The Wrap’s report alleges.
Red One stars Johnson as the commander of the elite E.L.F. Task Force who must find and rescue Santa Claus, who has been abducted and, with it, save Christmas. As well as Johnson, the film stars Chris Evans, JK Simmons and Lucy Liu, among others.
However, the allegations in the report have been strenuously denied by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and Amazon MGM.
In a statement to The Wrap, Amazon MGM said Johnson and Seven Bucks had been “incredible partners” on Red One and that it couldn’t have made it without his work and support. “Any reporting that implies that we got to this point with him showing up seven-eight hours late to set is both ridiculous and false.”
Red One hits theaters on November 15, and will land on Amazon Prime at a date yet to be confirmed.
