Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has ruled out running for the US presidency in 2020 but insists there may be a chance he will run in 2024 – or even 2028.

Responding to speculation he would throw his hat into the ring in two years’ time, the actor, producer and former professional wrestler said he had now decided against putting himself forward.

“I think right now I am just learning as much as I can, I respect our political process,” he told reporters at the premiere of his new monster movie, Rampage:

“I also do not have any delusions that it’s easy. And I have a tremendous respect, so 2020 is not going to happen. Maybe 2024, maybe 2028, I don’t know.”

“I think the best thing I can do now is to go to work and learn. That’s where we’re at,” he explains.

Johnson, 45, boasts a massive social media presence, with more than 12.8 million followers on Twitter and 58 million ‘likes’ on Facebook.

He said the current privacy scandal engulfing Facebook (which saw millions of users’ details leaked to private companies) had not made him any more wary about his own online activity.

The former WWE wrestler even jumped the defence of its founder Mark Zuckerberg, saying he has “earnest” intentions.

“I know Zuckerberg, he is a buddy of mine,” he said, “and I truly believe that the intentions are earnest so we will see where all this goes.”