It’s a logical question: How the hell has Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson not yet played a major superhero? He’s certainly done plenty of roles portraying men who have above-average to “might as well be a superhero” level abilities, but he hasn’t been solidly attached to one.
If Robert Liefeld—who co-created Deadpool—has his way, that could change.
On Instagram, Liefeld posted photos of Johnson and images of an action figure and cartoon panels of Deadpool X-Force member Garrison Kane.
“Dearest @therock based on reports of outstanding chemistry between you and a familiar friend,” Liefeld wrote, presumably referring to Ryan Reynolds’s surprise cameo in Hobbs and Shaw, “I believe the next logical step is for you to join the Marvel Universe as Garrison Kane in a future Deadpool installment. You’re a natural and Kane is already celebrated by millions of comics fans who have thrilled to his adventures since I first introduced him in X-Force #2! Your pal, Rob!”
Liefeld has the pull to get The Rock’s attention. So Johnson did indeed respond.
Dearest Rob, thank you amigo. It’s true, in @HobbsAndShaw, I have insanely outstanding chemistry with our familiar friend. Since you created the characters, how does one Garrison Kane get alone with one
💀🏊♂️ ? https://t.co/1Z58qbiQp8— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 3, 2019
“Dearest Rob,” he wrote, “thank you amigo. It’s true, in @HobbsAndShaw, I have insanely outstanding chemistry with our familiar friend. Since you created the characters, how does one Garrison Kane get alone with one [Deadpool]?”
That was exactly what Liefeld hoped to see.
1000% guilty of looking at ways to get THE MAN into the gig!!! https://t.co/CIYJFObM71
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 4, 2019
“1000% guilty of looking at ways to get THE MAN into the gig!!!” Liefeld tweeted.
This wouldn’t be the first time Dwayne Johnson has been attached in some way to caped comic book character. He’s also been associated with a future Shazam! flick for a while, in the role of that DC character’s nemesis, Black Adam.
Of course this could all just be fun online banter between famous and pseudo-famous guys just batting ideas around. It might never happen.
Another major action star, however, may be even closer than The Rock to one day donning a Marvel character costume—Keanu Reeves.
Reeves has a knack for making action franchises work, as is evident in the way John Wick blew up, leading to a pair of sequels with a fourth movie still to come.
In June, Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirmed that Reeves has been in talks with the studio about joining the MCU, reportedly saying “We talk to [Keanu Reeves] for almost every film we make … I don’t know when, if, or ever he’ll join the MCU, but we very much want to figure out the right way to do it.”
Look, it’s not like Marvel needs the boost in star power both Johnson and Reeves would provide. It’s a cinematic monster no matter what.
But we’d like to see something like this happen regardless. And if you put The Rock and Neo in a movie together, we’re damn sure there’d be no complaints.