Dwayne Johnson's delays inflate 'Red One' budget to $250M

Every day on a movie set is costly, which is why there's often significant time pressure and a fast-paced work environment aimed at minimizing expenses. Yet, not everyone seems to prioritize this efficiency. Recent developments regarding the action comedy "Red One" directed by Jake Kasdan suggest that the film's leading star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, may have disregarded these concerns.

Last year, Deadline reported that the film had undergone two test screenings and showed promising financial outlooks. However, reports from international media present a stark contrast, revealing that it's not profits but the budget that has skyrocketed, largely due to Johnson's actions.

According to The Wrap, the "Red One" expenditure soared to $250 million in recent months. Allegations point directly at Johnson, claiming his habitual late arrivals on set—sometimes by 7–8 hours—or complete no-shows have contributed approximately $50 million in additional costs.

There are also rumors of Johnson's peculiar time-saving measures, such as urinating in water bottles on set, which reportedly upset crew members tasked with their disposal. This behavior has not only affected "Red One" but has also been a source of contention in his previous projects, such as "Ballers," "Rampage: Big Meets Bigger," and "Red Notice," the last of which sparked a notable dispute with co-star Ryan Reynolds.

Jeff Sneider, a Hollywood leak expert, previously raised concerns about "Red One," branding it "an absolute disaster" and unfavorably comparing it to M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water." Sneider criticized the film for failing to create compelling new mythology or chemistry between its leads.

Despite Amazon's ambitions for a Christmas launch, reflecting the film's plot, which revolves around a daring rescue mission to save Christmas led by the E.L.F. Task Force, the film's release did not meet its intended deadline. The ensemble cast features notables like Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and J.K. Simmons, with Chris Morgan penning the script and Jake Kasdan directing.

The global premiere of "Red One" is set for November 15, 2024.