Dwayne Johnson Is Too Busy to Run for President in 2020 ... But Maybe Not 2024
The next role for Dwayne Johnson will not be president, but that doesn't mean he never plans to launch a White House bid.
The former pro wrestler-turned-action star has been open about being interested in the possibility of running, but right now, he isn't ready to step away from acting -- in fact, he's too busy to do so. Johnson told Variety that his schedule is full through 2021, so he wouldn't be able to run in 2020. Still, he doesn't want to rule out the idea of trying to become commander in chief in the future.
"Realistically, as we go into 2018, when you look at my slate as we're developing and shooting into 2019 and 2020, the slate goes deep into 2021," he said of his acting and producing commitments, "so it feels like the realistic consideration would be 2024."
That would be too late for a possible showdown with a fellow former WWE performer, President Donald Trump, so we wouldn't see the entertainers take each other on. Even so, Johnson, who says he is a registered Independent, was critical of the current leadership while speaking to Variety.
"I continue to be hopeful that our leaders exhibit poise, perspective and the ability to bring our country together during these tough times -- which I don't feel our presidency is currently doing," he said.
Johnson's interest in running comes in part in response to what he has been seeing in politics today. However, he knows that he needs to be ready before he enters the fray; he said he is "well aware" governing is "not the business [he's] in." The actor made it clear, though, that he is taking the time to "listen and learn."
Should Johnson run, he already has support in his corner. Not only did "SNL" fans love the idea of him running with Tom Hanks, Michael Moore said in May that Democrats should "run someone that's beloved by the American people," naming The Rock as his choice.