Dwayne Johnson is excited about the upcoming holiday season, and he’s bringing his holiday cheer to the big screen!
In the new Christmas action-comedy Red One, now showing in Philippine cinemas, Johnson stars alongside Chris Evans in an all-out adventure to save Christmas after Santa (played by J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped.
“We love all holiday films,” says Johnson, who plays Cal Drift, head of Santa’s elite security team. “The classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life, as well as contemporary favorites like Elf and Bad Santa – “The classics like ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ as well as the contemporary favorites like ‘Elf’ and ‘Bad Santa,’” he continues. “We all love them for the same reason: they bring us back to that warm feeling of being with friends and family, the time of year when life slows down for a minute. And there’s nothing better than watching a great Christmas movie with the people you love.”
In Red One, Johnson’s character, Cal Drift, heads Santa’s security unit known as the E.L.F. (Enforcement, Logistics, and Fortification). He’s worked alongside Santa for centuries, dedicated to spreading joy every year. But when Santa is kidnapped, Cal teams up with Jack O’Malley, played by Chris Evans. Jack, a mercenary and “world’s greatest tracker,” represents everything Cal dislikes about adults. Together, they embark on a thrilling, laugh-out-loud journey to rescue Santa and save Christmas for everyone.
The film’s stellar lineup includes Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, and Wesley Kimmel. Each character brings their unique charm, humor, and Christmas spirit to this festive, action-packed tale.
Chris Evans describes his character, Jack, as a bit of a “rascal” who’s struggling to reconnect with his family. “And it’s always fun to play a rascal! But in his personal life he’s struggling,” says Evans. “He has a son that he neglects. Aside from his family struggles, he’s lost that Christmas spirit. He works by himself and moves through the world by himself. That loneliness has made him a bit ossified.”
Screenwriter Chris Morgan says the chemistry between Johnson and Evans is undeniable: “When we put Dwayne and Chris together for the first time, that energy was immediate. They sparked off each other. They just started riffing and cutting on each other, one-upping and generally having fun at each other’s expense. We knew we had a special dynamic right there.”
Prepare for an unforgettable holiday season filled with action, laughter, and heartwarming moments in Red One. Directed by Jake Kasdan and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in the Philippines, Red One promises to be a feel-good film that will make audiences believe in the magic of Christmas again. (Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”)
(ROHN ROMULO)