Back when Dwayne Johnson was still known as his WWE alter-ego the Rock, and before he became one of the industry’s most bankable leading men, the wrestler-turned-actor was trying to pave his way in Hollywood and prove what he was made of on the big screen. For the 2003 buddy action comedy The Rundown, Johnson teamed up with American Pie star Sean William Scott and starred as a resilient bounty hunter who is sent to Brazil to track down his boss’ wise-cracking son, leading to an unexpected series of sidesplitting events.
The comedy was just Johnson’s third film role, after the charismatic performer made his acting debut in The Mummy Returns, the 2001 blockbuster hit, and headlined the spin-off The Scorpion King. Despite failing to make a splash at the box office, The Rundown demonstrated Johnson’s undeniable likability and appeal, and the movie also features an unexpected but epic cameo by one of Tinseltown’s most iconic action stars: the one-and-only Arnold Schwarzenegger. Let’s dive in and explore how the cinema legend’s brief appearance came to be.
Before he became one of Hollywood’s most charismatic and profitable performers dominating the silver screen, Dwayne Johnson was trying to break his way into the acting world after making a name for himself as wrestling superstar the Rock in the WWE. The 2003 buddy action comedy The Rundown was just Johnson’s second major leading role and third screen project (after The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King), and he appeared alongside a star-studded cast including Sean William Scott, Rosario Dawson, and Christopher Walken in the action-packed adventure.
In the fun and massively entertaining flick, Johnson portrays savvy bounty hunter and aspiring chef Beck, who is tasked with locating his employer’s estranged son Travis Walker (Scott) in a rural Brazilian mining town and bringing him back home to the States. After arriving in the small community known as El Dorado, Beck quickly learns he may have bitten off more than he can chew as he is forced to contend with not only the fast-talking treasure hunter Travis but also the oppressive mining operation owner Hatcher (Walken) and courageous group of rebels led by the beautiful and fiery Mariana (Dawson).
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Impromptu Cameo
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in the rip-roaring comedy, action icon and cinema staple Arnold Schwarzenegger made a surprising uncredited cameo in the film, appearing as a bar patron Beck passes by in the hallway on his way to retrieve a professional football player’s prized championship ring at a busy nightclub. As Beck begrudgingly accepts his assignment from his boss Billy Walker (William Lucking) to make the athlete (whom he is a huge fan of) pay off his debt, he walks by Schwarzenegger who knowingly tells him to have fun, alluding to the all-out physical brawl Beck is about to engage in.
Schwarzenegger’s unexpected appearance in The Rundown wasn’t planned, as the movie star had been visiting Universal Studios and showed up during the shoot to have lunch with Johnson. Director Peter Berg decided to jump at the opportunity to have Schwarzenegger make a cameo and managed to “twist his arm” and get him to pop up in the brief scene, thus creating a powerful moment between the two men that felt as though The Terminator actor was passing the action torch to Johnson and blessing his career. Johnson had no intentions of Schwarzenegger joining the comedy, telling Entertainment Weekly in 2003:
“There were so many comparisons between the two of us, which were flattering, but I never thought he should be in the movie or anything. I already know a favor’s coming in, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Berg rightfully knew that fans of both leading men would be thrilled to see them share a scene (no matter how brief) in the comedy, and so he quickly recruited Schwarzenegger for the small cameo, who agreed to do so as long as it could be shot that day; within 15 minutes of the conversation, Schwarzenegger was on set and ready for the cameras to start rolling. The minor exchange between Beck and Schwarzenegger’s bar patron was short and sweet, but it gave fans a wholesome and exhilarating moment that only helped add to the impact and excitement of the flick, with his cameo being an unexpected treat.
A Critical Stud & Box Office Dud
When The Rundown made its explosive worldwide premiere on September 26, 2003, critics were thoroughly impressed by the endearing on-screen camaraderie between Johnson and Scott, who dazzled the masses with their endlessly entertaining banter and sidesplitting hijinks. Audiences were also fans of the flick’s slick action sequences, intriguing storyline, and Johnson’s charming performance, with many praising The Rundown for paying homage to the popular buddy action comedies of the ’80s. The big screen extravaganza earned a solid 70% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, a commendable rating for the then-up-and-coming Johnson.
Despite attracting a positive critical response, The Rundown failed to thrive at movie theaters and ended up becoming a box office dud, grossing just under $81 million against an $85 million budget and becoming one of the few film disappointments of Johnson’s sensational career. Though the comedy was unable to make a splash upon its initial release, it has nonetheless become one of the actor’s most underrated and appreciated roles and a movie that showcased Johnson’s appeal as a performer. The lukewarm reception hasn’t stopped rumors of a potential sequel from swirling, with talks of a follow-up beginning right after its release.
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Director Peter Berg has previously said that conversations are always ongoing with Johnson regarding a sequel, and in 2013 the filmmaker officially announced he was developing a second The Rundown movie. By 2016, the potential sequel had been written with Kevin Hart and Jonah Hill envisioned to headline, though nothing has come to fruition regarding the new installment. In September 2020, Berg gave an update about the project and claimed its development is ongoing, though Johnson’s busy schedule was named as a reason the sequel has yet to be fully greenlit. Only time will tell if fans of The Rundown are treated to another uproarious, action-packed entry.
Stream The Rundown on Netflix.
