The Rock to play Fenix in Gears film?

By Robert Purchese Published 11 May, 2009

"There's a genuine actor," says screenwriter.

Gears of War film writer Chris Morgan thinks beefy ex-wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson would make a great Marcus Fenix because he can be tough and show his emotions.

"Normally when I write, I think about the actor I'm writing for, but this one's been difficult," Morgan told MTV Movies.

"It is a vital casting choice. It's counter-intuitive really, because it seems like you want to get a big character - a big tough guy who can play it stoic the whole time - but in my experience, dealing with macho sorts of movies and dealing with Dom [Vin Diesel's character in Fast & Furious] and that kind of stuff, it's harder to play the tough guy than an emotional character who's all over the place.

"The Rock is awesome," he added. "There's a genuine actor. Not only can he play the tough guy, but he can also play the nuanced, sensitive funny sad moments as well."

Morgan said the actor playing Fenix also needn't be as muscular as his virtual counterpart, so long as he's "a guy you believe can throw a punch and a guy you believe is stoic, locked in his own head, and [can] show emotion without telegraphing it".

Casting hasn't yet begun, as the Gears of War script has only just been finished and the team is now budgeting out the project.

Die Hard 4.0 director Len Wiseman will boss the project, and the film is expected in cinemas next year.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • The-Bodybuilder #1 3 years ago

    No Rock, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, DON'T TOUCH IT.

  • Eraysor #2 3 years ago

    I hope he doesn't get the role, if only because I'll be shouting his wrestling quotes every time he stomps a locust.

  • miiiguel #3 3 years ago

    Oh no! I was hoping they choose Mickey Rourke.

  • menage #4 3 years ago

    I thought Fenix was more of a redneck.

  • VicViper #5 3 years ago

    bad Chris Morgan, think about what youre saying, no more casting control for you

  • dustrat #6 3 years ago

    Damn. He sucks.

  • Lexx87 #7 3 years ago

    Mickey Rourke would be much better!

  • Lexx87 #8 3 years ago

    The Rock = Generic Action FIlm 54

  • JahB #9 3 years ago

    i always thought marcus fenix was white?

  • aldo_14 #10 3 years ago

    Yeah, and I'm the genuine pope, shitting in the genuine woods.

  • alimokrane #11 3 years ago

    We're all DOOOOOOMED!

  • Wastelander #12 3 years ago

    ;_;

    The only guy for Marcus is 1980's Berenger.

  • gabsta69 #13 3 years ago

    Surely if you are going to go by the wrestler motive - wouldnt Batista be better? He actually looks like Marcus Fenix

  • PearOfAnguish #14 3 years ago

    I think The Rock is actually a pretty good actor when he gets the right part, he was great in The Rundown and Southland Tales. Don't like him in generic action roles though.

  • mrpon #15 3 years ago

    Yup

  • zisssou #16 3 years ago

    Southland Tales was bollocks.

  • ZuluHero #17 3 years ago

    I like the Rock, I think he's quite charismatic.

    What about someone like Ron Perlman as Fenix?

  • muscleblade #18 3 years ago

    He could be one of the actors. Not Fenix though. Batista would be perfect. He isnt an actor though.

  • miiiguel #19 3 years ago

    Ffs, Rock isn't an actor either.

  • jonsaan #20 3 years ago

    I thought the Doom film was pretty good!

  • mattigan #21 3 years ago

    Neither's the guy who voiced Fenix in the game, as far as I can tell...

  • patch #22 3 years ago

    You've all forgot the inverted commas around "The Rock"... and also the ones around "actor".

    Getting pretty tired of them doing sh*tty film versions of games. Was hopeful this one would be different.

  • lambtron #23 3 years ago

    The Rock was good in Southland Tales.

    That is all.

  • CARL05 #24 3 years ago

    "Batista would be perfect. He isnt an actor though."

    erm.. all american wrestlers are actors!
    You don't actually think the crazy shit they do is real do you?

    Edit: but I should add that they aren't particularly good actors, not even the rock.
    Edited by 2 at 11/05/09 @ 11:53

  • RexRunti #25 3 years ago

    Hey the Rock rocks. Everyone knows he's the new Arnie.

  • PlugMonkey #26 3 years ago

    I thought The Rock was excellent in Be Cool. He really surprised me.

  • ZuluHero #27 3 years ago

    oh i found this after my last post:

    [link url=h ttp://www.virginmedia.com/images/gears_perlman.jpg
    ]http://ww w.virginmedia.com/images/gears_...[/link]

    He's even got the goatee and sideburns! :p

    Seems i'm not the only one to think of Perlman :)
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 11:58

  • Eraysor #28 3 years ago

    Just to let you know, Marcus Fenix is also Bender from Futurama.

  • Slabbathepave #29 3 years ago

    Massive pile of rancid shit.

    Both Gears games have an 18 certificate. I'll bet both of my sizable balls that the film ends up with a 12 certificate.

    Anyone at all interested in this is a cunt, 13 years of age or both.

  • lambtron #30 3 years ago

    "erm.. all american wrestlers are actors!
    You don't actually think the crazy shit they do is real do you? "

    Yes and no :). They are actors, patently. They do put on a choreographed, exaggerated show (it's not like you can repeatedly stamp on someone's throat and they'll be fine afterwards). On the other hand, people get seriously hurt doing it although it's not part of the script.

  • Gearskin #31 3 years ago

    The Rock?... Problem with that is... he's TOO good for Marcus Fenix. The Rock has charisma. Fenix has no Charisma. They need someone who is way more deadpan.

  • asphaltcowboy #32 3 years ago

    As much as I like the Rock, he's no Marcus Fenix. It's all about Dominic Purcell!

  • Wastelander #33 3 years ago

    Jack Dee?

  • metallicorphan #34 3 years ago

    thats Gears of War movie crossed off my list to see

  • muscleblade #35 3 years ago

    @asphaltcowboy

    With CGI muscles then? No thanks.

  • Xerx3s #36 3 years ago

    The rock is fucking awesome! When he has good roles, he plays them very well, when he has bad roles, he plays them shite. But that's even better as I like B-films a lot more than all the big budget crap.

  • collateral89 #37 3 years ago

    CAN U SMELL wat the rock shouldn't be doing

  • Xerx3s #38 3 years ago

    "I thought the Doom film was pretty good!"

    And dirt cheap as well

  • miiiguel #39 3 years ago

    Eric Bana?

    Shit I'll just fortget about it, something remotely resembling a proper movie is wishfull thinking, as it would fail miserably at the box office (thinks about Ang Lee's Hulk).

  • Olemak #40 3 years ago

    Ang Lee's Hulk var horrible, no matter how you look at it.

  • Starkillah_79 #41 3 years ago

    I think the rock could be good as Dom but Marcus Fenix? NO WAY! Purcell would be a better choice for the role i guess...
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 12:49

  • JensonJet #42 3 years ago

    'Geniune actor'? I guess my definition of a geniune actor is a little different than the screenwriter's.

    While I understand Hollywood's fear of casting unknown actors because of a possible loss of ticket sales, I'm surprised The Rock is considered any kind of guarantee of extra sales. If you think of some of the best movies ever made, or some of your favourites, they often feature many unknown actors, or who are now big stars in their first roles. Beyond the script, the biggest influence in a movie being half decent is the director. This film, as with all movies needs an excellent director. One who can steer this in a better direction than we've seen from past game movies. It's hard to imagine, but there's no reason why Star Wars, The Godfather, Alien, whatever movie you consider excellent, could have been based on a game. Sadly with Hollywood cashing in, rather than attempting to treat a game movie with any respect or care, we've always ended up with generally bad, or average at best, action films.

    Whether the director is a relatively unknown as was the case with Ridley Scott taking on Alien, or Spielburg doing Jaws, or is an already proven director, this will ultimately decide the final state of what appears on screen. A good director won't be afraid to find unknown actors, assuming whoever's producing this doesn't get in the way. While I admit I've never played or have any interest in the Gears games, I'm sick of seeing games turned into second rate movies. For the fans of this game I hope Gears of War is treated better than past attempts to cash in on your love for the game. If comic book character films can attract some decent talent and end up good, there's no excuse for game-based movies not reaching the same standards. It's time game based movies stopped being the lowest of the low, forget the past and become half decent films in their own right.

    Let's just hope the screenwriter's better at writing than he is advising on actors, for a start. Every good movie starts with a good script!
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 12:56

  • miiiguel #43 3 years ago

    @ Olemak: I did it with my eyes, and I liked it a lot. No..., really, I understand it was never meant to be everybody's cup of tea, you have to be looking/hoping for something more "humanized" when you dig a movie about a super hero which features *no vilain*, I thought it was a pretty bold move, and just loved the cinematography.
    No patronizing here, I also liked Sam Raimi's Spidey's which is a total diferent aproach - so no trying to play the smart dude, I just thought it worked, it is a good movie. IMO.
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 12:52

  • Darren #44 3 years ago

    The Rock was beyond awful in the equally bad Doom movie and was merely passable in the Scorpion King so it seems to be that the producers want him for his "star attraction" (ahem) rather than his acting *talents*. Hopefully the movie will be so action-packed like the games that no-one will notice the lack of decent acting. Still, he's a poor choice IMO since he looks absolutely NOTHING like Marcus Fenix as depicted in the games.

    As others have said Purcell from Prison Break would be a far better choice. At least he CAN act and looks reasonably like Fenix. With Prison Break ending soon he'd definitely be free.

  • Korpers #45 3 years ago

    Definately Dominic Purcell.

    Familiar enough to catch on....

    Not too famous to make you think of the actor playing Marcus, rather than Marcus himself.

    And looks A LOT like him.

  • asphaltcowboy #46 3 years ago

    /yay!

  • viper_h #47 3 years ago

    lol at that pic of Dom Purcell. I didn't recognise him with hair.

  • Slabbathepave #48 3 years ago

    Shame he is no longer with us

    [link url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/images/k enneth_williams1_gal.jpg
    ]http://ww w.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/imag...[/link]

    Born to play Marcus Fenix.

  • Vin #49 3 years ago

    Chuck Wagner would suit the role down to a tee.

  • Sonic_D #50 3 years ago

    "Shame he is no longer with us

    [link url=http://ww w.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/imag...
    ]http://ww w.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/imag...[/link]

    Born to play Marcus Fenix. "


    Oooh I say! LOCUSTS! Awful creatures. Bloody well slice them up wit' me chainsaw!

  • BigE0n #51 3 years ago

    More importantly than who is going to play the beefy space marine are they going to get the original game cast to do voice overs for this so the 'actors' just mime and it still sounds like the game dialogue!

  • Santino #52 3 years ago

    no actor worth their salt would have anything to do with this. Gears of War the fricking movie, 100% guaranteed garbage.

  • Kremlik Verified Co-Founder, Crash To Desktop #53 3 years ago

    Rock for Master Chief! - at least then we only have to hear the voice under the amour.. Sorry but if anyone's thinking the Rock then it's money over quality thinking in their heads' rock = cashcow', anyhow it can't be the Rock he's sold his soul to Disney for the next forever... DEAR GOD BAD THOUGHT - Gears done by Disney... AGHHH

    Oh speaking of the Doom Movie guess who is playing Bones in Star Trek - Thats right it's DOOMGUY/Reaper! Thats how awsome the film is!

  • geeza2020 #54 3 years ago

    IMO there will never be a good film based on a game because they rarely translate well from one medium to the other. Games rely on you being part of the action so if there is a bad script/acting etc doesnt matter because your immersed in the world by directly influencing what happens in it. But when you are watching a film your detached from it all and are thus more critical of what you are seeing. So all the bad writing, acting and cheap effects just hit you in the face and you cant help but notice how absolutely shite it all is.
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 16:06

  • sweetcheeks #55 3 years ago

    'sold his soul to disney'
    not really, its important to vary your film catalogue and acting range to prevent typecasting.
    i quite like the rock - good luck

  • doomboom #56 3 years ago

    Its got quality written all over it

  • GamesConnoisseur #57 3 years ago

    Rock as Fenix?! Noo shocking but a darn lot more shocking to me, where my jaws crashed onto the keyboard pretty hard was when some ... I previously thought of as respectaible and discerning gamers say The Southland Tales was watchable?!

    That movie... I still weeps for the lost 45 mins of my life when I finally gave up the ghost and ejected the rented blockbuster movie.

    I ll hold my judgement until I see the final casting roll.

  • Negotiator #58 3 years ago

    For gods sake, the Rock, are you kidding me. Stallone is the best and only choice, a good actor and a shit hot action star.

  • El-Dev #59 3 years ago

    John Cena, he's an amazing actor.
    Him and the Rock should co-star on this one.

  • Sicho_666 #60 3 years ago

    DooM anyone? Hell no! NO NO NO! Why the rock? They would be better off getting Bruce Campbell to play (loves chainsaws and one-liners). That was taking the piss, a bit like getting the rock to play Fenix? Who are the going to get to play the others? Hmm, let me guess... Chris Rock to play cole? Clive Owen to play Baird? Seth Rogen to play Dom?
    I think that the movie is going to really let the games down, but i'll be cautiously optimistic cos i love Gears. I'm just getting the feelin that they'll screw this up just like Hitman , DooM, Resident Evil And Street fighter. The only half decent game to movie adaptation was Silent Hil, and even that didn't live up to its potential.

    And don't even get me started on the Mario movie!

  • JensonJet #61 3 years ago

    You know this is exactly why Hollywood keeps giving talentless ex-sportsman or the richest 20 actors all the major parts in movies... because that's all audiences want!!! Someone safe, someone familiar. Wouldn't anyone like the idea of completely unknown actors? Guys you've never seen, or know the name of, that really make the roles their own? At this rate I'm surprised no one's suggested Brad Pitt and Wil Smith... they're two of the most overly used, highly paid, box-office guaranteed actors in movies today! I don't particularly care for this movie and it's pretty obvious it'll be full of a load of macho-crap throughout but I'm still waiting for a movie based on a game to change the attitude of Hollywood so they start to treat these movies like they treat comic book based films. The Rock is a joke. And clearly the script writer is too. What ambition... to get the Rock to play a part in your film. The director is far more important that the lead actor. Let me guess... you want Peter Jackson to direct?
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 22:34

  • hiddenranbir #62 3 years ago

    Wooo! Dwayne! Love all his filums.

    Too bad the movie itself will be poo. Gears of Snore.

  • Grayvern #63 3 years ago

    Hes too tall, he should really play a cameo as carmine and get sniped.

    Also the guy who played the hero in the doom movie also played bones in star trek movie and did a damn good job so actors can star in schlock and be talented, not that im sugesting the same thing about the rock.
    Edited by 1 at 12/05/09 @ 00:10

  • Buztafen #64 3 years ago

    Fuck Chris Rock for Coles role, just the guy who actually voices him to do it....THE MIGHTY RASTA

    Also Gary to play Baird! :)

  • Buztafen #65 3 years ago

    Karl Urban who was Reaper in Doom played Eomer in the lord of the rings and was also a pretty menacing assassin in Bourne Supremacy. These 2 films helped his career 100 times more than the damage a film like Doom could do to it. Plus i hear his performance as Bones in the new Star Trek is spot on! IMO he's a pretty good actor

    /is looking forward to ST tonight