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“Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get.”This classic line fromForrest Gumpperfectly encapsulates the unpredictable nature of the film industry, especially for stars like Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, who find themselves facing some tough times as their recent projects stumble out of the gate.
Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth and featuring a stellar lineup that includes Cate Blanchett, Hart, and Jack Black, landed in theaters this August 2024. Despite the high expectations, the film fell flat, struggling to make a dent at the box office and failing to recoup its budget amid a torrent of negative reviews.
Likewise, Johnson seems to be feeling the heat with his upcoming flick,Red One,which stars him alongside Chris Evans. Directed by Jake Kasdan, this highly anticipated action movie is set to debut next month, but the initial projections have certainly sparked concerns among fans and industry insiders.
Red One: High Hopes Turn to Disappointment for Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans?
With blockbuster budgets and star-studded casts, expectations can reach dizzying heights, only to come crashing down with disappointing results. The latest film to find itself in a pickle isRed One, starringDwayne JohnsonandChris Evans. Well, the film is already generating buzz for all the wrong reasons.
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Reportsfrom Puck’s Matt Belloni reveal thatRed One, with a staggering budget of $253 million, is projected to open with just $36 million. For a movie of this caliber, that’s certainly a tough pill to swallow.
Originally slated for a 2023 release (seeThe Guardian), Amazon postponed the film by nearly a year, now set to hit theaters next month. This kind of delay often raises red flags; when a movie gets pushed back, it usually rings alarm bells and hints of underlying troubles.
Back in December,Deadlinereported thatRed Onehad undergone testing twice, with scores supposedly“through the roof”. But the troubles don’t end there. Reports surfaced that the budget forRed Oneballooned dramatically, and much of the blame seems to land on Johnson’s feet (viaThe Wrap).
Allegedly, the actor’s tardiness—often arriving 7 to 8 hours late or sometimes skipping set days altogether—has cost the production more than $50 million. An insider didn’t mince words, stating bluntly:
Dwayne truly doesn’t give a f–k.
That’s a hard truth for fans who expected more from such a high-profile project.
Kevin Hart & Dwayne Johnson: Box Office Struggles Continue for Dynamic Duo
Meanwhile,Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson’s longtime collaborator, recently faced his own challenges with the release ofBorderlands. This August 2024 sci-fi action-comedy, boasting a star-studded cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Jack Black, struggled to find its footing at the box office.
Ultimately, it grossed a disappointing $33 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo), a far cry from its hefty production budget of $110–120 million, making it a notable flop. To add to the woes, Hart’s earlier film this year,Lift, a heist comedy directed by F. Gary Gray, also struggled, earning just 29% onRotten Tomatoeswith an average rating of 4.6/10.
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As for Johnson, his much-anticipatedBlack Adamalso faced a rough patch, receiving negative reviews and failing to break even, grossing only $393 million against a budget of $260 million (Box Office Mojo). WithRed Onenow generating discouraging updates, it seems like anothertough climbahead for the film. Time will tell if it can turn things around.
Ergo, the entertainment world is a tough nut to crack, and not every ambitious project can hit the mark.
Red Oneis set to hit theaters on August 04, 2025. Meanwhile,Borderlandscan be rented on Apple TV.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
