Dwayne Johnson revealed he chose feel-good family movies during his divorce from ex-wife Dany Garcia because he wasn’t ready for emotionally challenging roles.
The actor spoke candidly about this period during The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast at Chapman University.
Johnson explained how he gravitated toward lighter films after starting his acting career in action movies. This shift happened during his separation from Garcia in the mid-2000s.
He starred in several PG-rated family films during this time. These included The Game Plan in 2007, Race to Witch Mountain in 2009, and Tooth Fairy in 2010.
“The truth is – and I can look back on that time with real clarity these days – those days, things were a little cloudy,” Johnson said. “I loved making those movies. I also think I manifested those because I don’t think I was ready for anything other than easy, light, family films that made me feel good.”
The 53-year-old actor connected his movie choices directly to his personal struggles.
Johnson married Garcia in 1997. They welcomed daughter Simone in 2001 before announcing their separation in 2007.
“At that time, I was also going through a separation and a divorce,” he told the student audience.
He described experiencing another bout of depression during this period. Johnson said he was “trying to figure my stuff out” and only wanted projects with happy endings.
“I didn’t want anything that was going to challenge me to rip my guts out, I wanted stuff that has a happy ending, and so that’s what that was.”
Maintaining Business Partnership
When Johnson and Garcia announced their split, they emphasized their commitment to remaining friends and business partners.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last 17 years together as a couple and look forward to spending the rest our lives together as best friends and business partners,” they said in 2007.
They co-founded Seven Bucks Productions in 2012. The production company continues to operate successfully today.
Johnson married Lauren Hashian in 2019. They share daughters Jasmine, 9, and Tiana, 6.
In 2022, Johnson explained how working with an ex-wife requires effort. “Where we’re at today comes with a lot of work and a lot of digging in,” he said on Sway’s Universe.
“While marriage wasn’t in our cards, we did realize, ‘Well, wait a second, we’re building something that’s pretty cool,'” Johnson continued. “Marriage may not be in our cards but building business can be.”
He acknowledged that divorce proceedings can become difficult. However, Johnson believes “great communication” can lead to positive outcomes.
“Stuff can get ugly” during a divorce, he said. But “if you can get through the sludge” with proper communication, “on the other side of that is usually some greatness.”
Current Projects and Support
Hashian recently praised her husband’s performance in his upcoming film The Smashing Machine on Instagram.
“I’ve never had a chance to see him dive into a film or story like this before. No one has,” she wrote about the dramatic role.
She described watching Johnson explore different emotional depths in his acting. Hashian noted how his real-life qualities translate into his on-screen performance.
“It’s beautiful to watch so many of those layers come through in his performance and feel this pulling desire to connect on a human level and an even deeper soul level now in his work.”
The post concluded with her support: “So proud of you my man. Will never forget what this moment has felt like.”
