The waxwork figure unveiled by the Musée Grévin on Monday, October 16, has received an overwhelming number of comments on social media, criticizing its resemblance to the 51-year-old Johnson. Comments such as, "That's not the Rock, that's the Pebble," and "Yikes! That is not the Rock, maybe his stuntman lol," can be seen in the comments section of the museum's post.
Other fans saw the resemblance of the figure to Johnson's Fast and Furious colleagues rather than Johnson himself. One Instagram commenter humorously remarked, "That's Vin 'The Rock' Diesel." Pitbull and Mr. Clean were amongst other commonly mentioned comparisons.
Staffers have playfully compared the wax figure of Dwayne Johnson created by painter Franck Bruno and sculptor Stephane Barret, referring to it as "bald John Cena," "Dwayne Johnson resembling a Transformers character," and "muscular Dr. Evil."
Critics have raised concerns about the waxwork's portrayal of Johnson's skin tone, given his Samoan heritage. One observer tweeted that they had "whitewashed the Rock," while a fan humorously commented that "the Rock is cooking without seasonings." Johnson himself has not commented on the new exhibit.
Earlier this year, Johnson surprised fans of Fast and Furious by making a cameo appearance in Fast X, which was released in May. This came after Johnson decided not to participate in F9 in 2021, citing a rift with Diesel, who is 56 years old.
"I have extended my best wishes," Johnson stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. "I wish them all the best for Fast 9, as well as Fast 10, Fast 11, and any other future Fast and Furious movies that do not include me."
In June, Johnson confirmed his intention to have a stronger comeback in future Fast movies. He also revealed that he and Diesel have resolved their conflicts.
In an Instagram video, Johnson expressed his gratitude and excitement for the global reaction to his return. He acknowledged the differences between him and Vin, but emphasized their longstanding brotherly bond. Johnson highlighted the importance of resolving conflicts and looking towards a future with bigger plans and aspirations. These plans are like guiding stars, providing direction and purpose.