What can you tell us about Hobbs and how he fits into the
film and his role?
Dwayne Johnson: Storywise, Dom and Brian are accused of
murder. There are two DEA agents who are murdered and the murder gets pinned on
them and Mia. I'm sent to find guys when the government needs to find - haha,
it sounds like The A-Team. In a way he is a bounty hunter, but he is a U.S.
Marshal sent down to Brazil to find these guys. Fun character to play, where I
am able to be efficient in the skills - and not only efficient in the skills
and having that animalistic, visceral way that I can rip your fucking throat
out, excuse my language, but also have the backing o the U.S. government - a
fun, fun character.
Is it kind of like the Tommy Lee Jones character in The Fugitive where he is after the bad guy, but realizes he might not be that bad?
Dwayne Johnson: It is very similar to that. The only difference is the physicality aspect, which I am able to bring, which heightens things for me, because ultimately I think from an audience standpoint, you want to see that. You want to see Vin and I go at it.
When I think about this plot, it almost brings me back to Heat, and thinking about the amazing anticipation of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro going to meet - these two iconic actors and characters. And now we are going to have a more beefed up version of that where maybe instead of just talking at a diner, you guys would beat the hell out of each other in the diner. I'm looking forward to this buildup of your encounter. Is that something you've been looking forward to in this film?
Dwayne Johnson: 100%. Sure. So you guys talk in a diner? Yes, yes, yes. Over a cappuccino. It's a wonderful scene. One cappuccino with two straws. That was something I was looking forward to and just as a fan of movies and a fan of genres this is an awesome opportunity that doesn't come along very often where you can have two guys who are successful and put it down and go at it. There are some great scenes in the movie where we do talk, and it's a nice, stinging conversation and the intensity is palpable- it's in the air. But then fuck talking, eventually you gotta get down and kick some ass. Again, I'm sorry for the language.
The first trailer for Faster landed online and the response was very, very strong, especially from fans of yours who have been waiting for the return to action. This feels like a continuation of that. There are very few guys who are real actions tars left. Is that something you are moving back towards?
Dwayne Johnson: It is always about opportunity for me. And those of you who know me know we have discussed this in the past. It is about creating opportunity day to day. There was an opportunity to do three family movies in a row, putting me in a space where I can continue to entertain, knowing that we were still developing on the other end like a Faster, like these intense action movies we were developing. Well, this is ready and it is in the family genre and it tells a good story. The other is not ready, so let's go. Believe me, I love to entertain, across the board - I love that and enjoy that. At my core, I am a physical guy, a visceral guy, and I love kickin' ass. I love it, so if I can continue to, it comes down to what's available, what's ready, what's cooking? I was pretty damn happy with that red-band trailer [for Faster].
