‘Hercules’ Again Does Well at Box Office: Will Dwayne Johnson Return For A Sequel?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come a long way from his days as a rabble rousing, eyebrow lifting ring rat. While he still throws down on the side, Johnson has morphed into a bona fide movie star with a lot to give.

With his latest hit movie Hercules out worldwide, Johnson has truly become an international sensation. A Hollywood star of the highest order his charisma and good looks attract male and female audiences alike.

Dwayne Johnson arguably has the most muscular physique since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s heyday as The Terminator. Thus, it’s only fitting that he be cast as Hercules, the half man, half god who fights crazy monsters without breaking a sweat.

Yet, Dwayne’s hunky physique and director Brett Ratner’s taut direction weren’t enough to launch Hercules into the promised land. Based on the hit graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore, this blockbuster adaptation was made for a reported $100 million (without even taking marketing costs into consideration).

But it failed to outmuscle the box office competition and ascend to the number one spot. It debuted at the number two spot behind cerebral Lucy starring Scarlett Johansson. Then it declined ever so slightly the next weekend with a strong top four showing and continues to hang tough in the top ten films nationwide, according to data provided by Box Office Mojo.

But with its budget earned back already and decent reviews pouring in, Dwayne Johnson may just have launched a lucrative new franchise. Currently, “The Rock” appears in the seemingly yearly Fast and Furious films as Secret Service agent Luke Hobbs.

If you haven’t seen Hercules yet, feel free to check out the synopsis below:

Everyone knows the legend of Hercules and his twelve labors. Our story begins after the labors, and after the legend… Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules has become a mercenary. Along with five faithful companions, he travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail… he must again become the hero he once was… he must embrace his own myth… he must be Hercules.

If you didn’t feel like reading all that, just check out the bombastic Hercules trailer available here.

After watching that trailer, you may feel the need to say, “Hulk smash” at the top of your lungs. Even though he doesn’t play the Hulk, you can definitely draw parallels between Johnson and the mean green smashing machine made famous on the silver screen by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

What is your favorite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson flick? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Photo courtesy of Digital Trends]