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THE SMARTER MOVIE MAGAZINE
After years of lockdown and not being able to travel, I was personally invited to join Dwayne earlier this year – but an expired visa prevented me from going. Matt Maytum went instead and was treated to Johnson’s trademark warmth and verve on a studio backlot. I was jealous. Why? Because we meet a lot of high-profile people in this job and a number of them do not enjoy their contracted interactions with the press. And make it known by not engaging fully or in some cases, being downright rude. I’m not playing the tiniest violin in the world for film journos here – rather I’m singling out Johnson as someone who not only understands and respects the whole process of a film, but is fully present within it. He goes all in with heat-seeking interest and engagement, just as he does in his career. Which is why we’re stoked for – DC’s badass antihero and Johnson’s passion project. Matt got the inside track on the JSA and Adam’s beef for this stellar issue. And he got a bottle of tequila gifted from the big guy too. All the intensity and bantz plus a drink? I’ve made sure my US visa is now renewed and ready for the next superhero call…
