Behind the Scenes: Chris Evans’ Pranks That Stretched Dwayne Johnson’s Patience on ‘Red One

Behind the Scenes: Chris Evans’ Pranks That Stretched Dwayne Johnson’s Patience on ‘Red One’

When it comes to Hollywood blockbusters, fans often see only the finished product—the stunning visuals, the high-energy action sequences, and the thrilling performances. But behind those polished scenes, there’s often a whole world of comedy, chaos, and camaraderie that audiences rarely get to witness. Take, for example, the making of Red One, Amazon’s highly anticipated holiday action-comedy starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. While the movie promises heart-pounding moments and unforgettable banter between its two leading men, the filming process itself was filled with moments of humor—some of which tested Johnson’s legendary patience, thanks to his co-star, Chris Evans.

The Unlikely Prankster: Chris Evans’ Mischievous Side

Known for his stoic portrayal of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans may not immediately strike you as the type to disrupt the set with pranks. However, those who’ve worked with him closely—especially Dwayne Johnson—know better. Evans, with his quick wit and playful demeanor, isn’t just a talented actor; he’s a master of mischief.

Filming Red One was no exception. As the two stars prepared for their high-stakes action sequences, they shared numerous lighthearted moments off-screen—moments that often veered into full-blown pranks. While Johnson is known for his larger-than-life personality and hard-working mentality, Evans made it his mission to test the limits of his co-star’s patience, all in the name of comedy.

The Pranks Begin: The First Strike

It all started on the very first day of filming. According to Johnson, it was a typical morning on set—lights, cameras, and the usual hustle and bustle. But Evans, who thrives on playful energy, saw an opportunity to start the day with a bang. As Johnson walked onto set, ready to dive into his character, he was met with an unexpected surprise.

“I was getting into the zone, prepping for a scene,” Johnson recalled in an interview, “and then—out of nowhere—Chris throws a bucket of water at me. It wasn’t even that much water, but it was enough to get me completely soaked.”

Evans, of course, found this hilarious, but Johnson? Not so much. “I wasn’t exactly in the mood for it that day,” he admitted with a grin. “But, you know, you can’t stay mad at Chris for long. He just has that infectious energy.”

This prank set the tone for what would become an ongoing battle of wits throughout the filming process. Whether it was water balloons, fake spiders in Johnson’s dressing room, or unexpected wardrobe changes, Evans kept the pranks coming, much to Johnson’s amusement (and occasional frustration).

Evans’ Comedy Timing: Perfectly Executed Pranks

What made Evans’ pranks particularly effective was his impeccable sense of timing. He knew exactly when Johnson would be most focused or deep in character and would strike then. One of the most infamous pranks involved a particularly intense scene where Johnson’s character was in the middle of a high-speed chase. During a break between shots, Evans seized the moment.

“Chris snuck up behind me,” Johnson recalled. “I was mentally preparing for the next take when he hit me with a whoopee cushion right on my chair. I nearly jumped out of my skin! It was so well-timed that I couldn’t even be mad. All I could do was laugh.”

For Johnson, a man who is typically the one cracking jokes and keeping the atmosphere light, these pranks took him by surprise. “The thing about Chris is, he’s so clever,” Johnson said with admiration. “You think you’re safe, and then, bam—he gets you again.”

The Wardrobe War: A Battle of Practical Jokes

One of the more elaborate pranks Evans pulled involved Johnson’s wardrobe. As the filming progressed, Johnson’s character underwent multiple costume changes, many of them requiring him to wear large, heavy armor for certain action sequences. Evans, never one to let an opportunity slip by, decided to “help” his co-star.

One day, Johnson arrived to set only to discover his armor had been subtly altered. The pieces were rigged with tiny bells, which—when worn—made an unmistakable jingling sound with every movement. The sound, of course, was entirely out of place in the middle of a tense, dramatic action scene.

“I’m trying to do a serious scene, and all you can hear is jing jing jing,” Johnson recalled, shaking his head. “At first, I thought it was just something wrong with my mic, but then I realized—Chris had rigged the whole thing. It was genius, but also completely ridiculous.”

For Evans, this prank was another win. “I knew Dwayne takes his roles seriously, so I wanted to throw him off in a fun way,” Evans confessed with a laugh. “It was hard not to crack up every time I saw him walking around with his ‘jingle armor.’”

The Pranks Take a Toll: Johnson’s Growing Frustration

While most of Evans’ pranks were harmless fun, there were a few moments where the constant mischief started to test Johnson’s patience. Johnson, who is known for his disciplined approach to acting and working out, often found himself needing focus—especially during intense action scenes. But Evans, always looking for an opening, made it difficult to stay in the zone.

“I can deal with a prank here and there,” Johnson said, chuckling, “but after a while, it was like, ‘Chris, are we making a movie, or are we in the middle of a prank war?’”

At one point, during a crucial scene where Johnson was to deliver an emotional monologue, Evans switched his script with one that had absurd, made-up lines. As Johnson began to read through his lines, he realized something was off.

“I’m halfway through my lines, and I’m seeing things like, ‘The pumpkin king must rise’ and ‘Take a nap under the moonlight,’” Johnson recalled. “I looked up, and Chris was standing there, trying not to laugh. At that point, I just gave him the stink eye. I knew what he’d done.”

Despite the frustrations, Johnson had to admit, Evans’ pranks were one of the things that made the grueling filming process more enjoyable. “It kept the set light. There were long hours, tough scenes, and a lot of hard work—but Chris made sure we didn’t take ourselves too seriously.”

The Ultimate Payback: Johnson Strikes Back

Eventually, Johnson’s patience ran out. After weeks of being the butt of Evans’ jokes, the big man decided it was time to strike back. He waited for the perfect moment, and when it arrived, he didn’t hold back.

On the final day of shooting, during a scene in which Evans was set to deliver a speech, Johnson made sure that the sound system was rigged to play a mix of bizarre sound effects. As Evans began his speech, the mic blasted out a series of absurd noises—everything from duck quacks to random classical music. Evans was, understandably, thrown off, his serious speech turning into an unintentional comedy moment.

“I walked onto set, and I was expecting a prank,” Evans recalled, laughing. “But what I didn’t expect was for Dwayne to completely hijack my scene. It was brilliant—and I’ll admit, it got me good.”

A Friendship Built on Laughter

In the end, the pranks became a testament to the growing camaraderie between Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. Despite the constant jokes and occasional pranks, both actors developed a deep mutual respect for each other’s work ethic and humor. They realized that their contrasting personalities—Johnson’s disciplined, no-nonsense approach to his craft and Evans’ playful, mischievous spirit—created a perfect balance both on and off-screen.

“People will see us in Red One as these larger-than-life characters, but behind the scenes, it was really about friendship and fun,” Johnson said. “Chris made the experience unforgettable—and honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

As the film nears its release, fans can expect to see the perfect blend of action and humor between the two stars. But for those who know the behind-the-scenes story, there’s no doubt that the true magic of Red One lies not just in the spectacular stunts, but in the playful, prank-filled dynamic between Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans.