Ex-WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson is known for his eyebrows, altering black turtle-necked outfits, his smolder, and, most importantly, his effortless way he can don a brown shirt and fit into any jungle in the history of cinema. Actors often get stuck in a rut of playing the same characters over and over again. That is a phenomenon called type-casting: where an actor thrives in the same kind of movie role over and over, just in different movies. For example, Tom Cruise continuously plays the action hero, sprinting away from some explosion. Conversely, you need a mobster type, you hire Joe Pesci. Even an A-lister like Angelina Jolie in the 90s got her roots in the box she built, playing the Femme Fatale archetype. So, it’s no surprise that Johnson found a niche and stuck with it.

Using his physique as part of his draw, Johnson has played the rugged, resentful hero who happens to save the day, whether that be in the jungle, or in something that resembles a jungle. His characters are always the hot shot loners who learn to be team players in the end with a healthy dose of sarcasm, wit, and a lot of smoldering charm. Here are the top movies where Dwayne Johnson plays the same kind of character.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

1 Jack Bruno — Race to Witch Mountain

     Walt Disney Studios

Johnson plays Bruno in Race to Witch Mountain, the ex-military man who stumbles upon two alien kids. Reluctantly, he agrees to help them get back to their ship that the government is holding. He is the brawn of the mission, knows his way around his gun, and doesn’t like children — of course, that is, until he realizes how much he cares about Sara and Seth, the twin alien siblings that he would take a bullet for.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

2 Joe Kingman — The Game Plan

     Walt Disney Pictures

In The Game Plan, Johnson plays Joe Kingman, the most popular quarterback in the NFL. He’s got the fame, the fancy car, the women, and all the money he could dream of. What he doesn’t see coming is the kid from his long-ago ex. For Johnson, this is another movie role wherein unlikely fatherhood is pushed upon him, and he ends up loving and protecting that child, even if that means donning ballet slippers instead of cleats.

3 Derek — Tooth Fairy

     20th Century Studios

One of the best hockey players on the ice squashes the magic of the tooth fairy, and ends up accidentally having to take up the mantle of the actual Tooth Fairy. This is the premise of the aptly titled fantasy comedy movie Tooth Fairy, in which Johnson plays hockey player Derek Thompson. From sports star to kid hero, he has to leave what he knew behind and accept his inner child.

4 Hank — Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

     Warner Bros.

Here, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island marks the subtle switch in Johnson’s roles. From the sports star who has to handle children to the jungle man with the gray shirt…but still handling children. In this movie, Johnson plays Hank, the new stepfather to adventure addict Shawn, and agrees to accompany him on a trip to find his long-lost grandfather. Playing this suave, machoman role and reluctantly trying to parent Shawn, Johnson is perfect.

5 Raymond Gaines — San Andreas

     Warner Bros. Pictures

​Almost wearing the same attire from when he is journeying to the mysterious island, Johnson plays Raymond Gaines in the disaster movie about the San Andreas Fault line, titled San Andreas. He is a rescue chopper who joins forces with his ex-wife to find their daughter amidst the chaos of earthquakes ravaging the area. He is the hero with no weaknesses, never backing down.

6 Spencer — Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

     Sony Pictures Releasing

​In the reboot of the eponymous classic adventure movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Johnson plays the avatar of the game, the fearless Dr. Bravestone. However, there is a fun twist: Johnson plays Spencer who is trapped inside Dr. Bravestone, while still stepping into the brave leader-of-the-pack role — of course, while traipsing through the jungle in the classic brown adventurer shirt.

7 Davis Okoye — Rampage

     New Line Cinema

Another movie based on a classic arcade game, Rampage centers around the giant gorilla, George. Johnson plays the fierce protector of the animal, and steps back into the niche of the strong protector, willing to do anything to save the things he loves. This time, he traded the jungle for the city, and follows the gorilla, George, through the streets of Chicago.

8 Will Sawyer — Skyscraper

Another one of Johnson’s niches is disaster movies. In Skyscraper, he takes on the role of ex-FBI agent Will Sawyer. Sawyer gets framed for the world’s tallest and safest building catching on fire, and then steps in to save a family trapped inside the flames. Sawyer is the man who never backs down, and will sacrifice himself to save those in need.

9 Frank Wolff — Jungle Cruise

In another adaptation of something classic and loved — this time based on the eponymous Disney ride — Jungle Cruise sees Johnson playing Frank Wolff, who is the skipper of an old boat. This role allows Johnson to show his sarcastic and comedic side a bit more, and places him right back into the jungle, being the daring and fearless Captain of the ship.