At the world premiere in Berlin on Sunday, Nov. 3, Johnson, 52, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about his experience working alongside Evans, 43. Despite playing a more serious character, Johnson admitted keeping a straight face wasn’t always easy during the funnier scenes.
"Chris is a very funny guy. He's also very talented," Johnson said, before joking, "Cause I’m a pro!" when asked how he avoided breaking character. "No, so many times I laughed. I am notorious for ruining takes. I laugh; it’s just what happens."
Johnson went on to praise Evans for their natural on-screen chemistry.
"I thought earlier that maybe me and Chris might have some good chemistry. So did he. [And] we did."
Directed by Jake Kasdan — known for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level — Red One is based on an original story by Hiram Garcia, the president of production at Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions.
The film introduces audiences to Callum Drift (played by Johnson), the North Pole's Head of Security, who teams up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter, Jack O’Malley (Evans), on a globe-trotting mission to save Christmas. According to the official synopsis, 'After Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) — Code Name: RED ONE — is kidnapped, Drift and O’Malley embark on an action-packed adventure to rescue him.'
In addition to Johnson, Evans, and Simmons, the star-studded cast includes Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Nick Kroll, and Kiernan Shipka.
Johnson shared that one of his main reasons for taking on Red One was the opportunity to deliver a Christmas movie with a fresh and exciting twist.
"I think when you get into acting ... the idea of making a Christmas movie ... you wanna make sure that you make a good one," Johnson explained. "You don’t want to be part of a crew that makes a s----- Christmas movie. So I think we made a good one."
With Chris Morgan (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) penning the script, Johnson believes Red One successfully combines humor, action, and holiday cheer.
Red One hits theaters on Nov. 15, promising laughs, adventure, and a Christmas story like no other.
