Who does Dwayne Johnson play in Free Guy? The surprise cameo you probably missed

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

Yes, Dwayne Johnson is in Free Guy. But you may have missed him first time around. Now Ryan Reynolds’ video game-inspired movie is out on Disney Plus, it’s the perfect time to dive in and discover The Rock’s secret cameo.

During one of the many, many stick-ups in the daily life of Guy (Ryan Reynolds), a bank robber rolls in to collect from the blue-shirted teller. However, Guy – fresh off seeing Jodie Comer’s Molotov Girl and with Mariah Carey still ringing in his ears – decides to go off-script and attempts to steal the bank robber’s virtual glasses. Head to 10:35 in the movie to see it for yourself.

That leads to the bank robber laying the smackdown on Guy, telling him: "I’m the robber, you’re the guy who lays down and takes it." If that voice sounded familiar, then you’re not alone: that’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Guy, though, manages to break free of his programming long enough to nab the glasses – accidentally killing the bank robber in the process.

So, yes, Dwayne Johnson is in Free Guy and, better yet, his character kickstarted the entire movie. It also acts as a neat reverse of Ryan Reynolds’ own surprise cameo in Johnson’s Fast and Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw.

Johnson isn’t alone in turning up for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in Free Guy. John Krasinski is also there as the 'Silhouetted Gamer' during one montage sequence, while Tina Fey plays a gamer’s off-screen mom in another scene.

For more on the movie’s best cameos and references, here’s our guide to Free Guy Easter eggs.

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.