Dwayne Johnson’s Red One was inspired by a jaw-dropping IMAX experience he had while watching Oppenheimer in the same seat where Christopher Nolan views his films. After the screening, Johnson realized the impact IMAX technology could bring to Red One, sharing that he texted director Jake Kasdan, excited about the potential for their Christmas action film to dazzle on larger screens. Johnson emphasized their goal of making Red One a “big screen” spectacle, showing his passion for maximizing its visual experience.
However, despite Johnson’s enthusiasm, Red One isn’t anticipated to be an IMAX blockbuster akin to Oppenheimer. The holiday movie, which cost around $250 million, debuted to underwhelming international box office earnings of $26 million and is projected for a modest $20 million opening in the U.S. Reviews have been mixed, with Variety’s Owen Gleiberman describing it as lacking “true Christmas spirit,” and critics generally feel the movie doesn’t fully capture the intended holiday charm.
