Dwayne Johnson surprises kids at 'Hercules' screening

HOLLYWOOD (KABC) -- Hundreds of kids from several summer programs in the Southland got the surprise of their lives when actor Dwayne Johnson appeared at their special screening of the new movie "Hercules" Wednesday.

There were games and sword and shield lessons, but most importantly, there was Johnson.

"You know, it sounds cliche, you often hear we should give back, it kind of is cliche but it's also true, we should give back, and I do stuff like this because it is important, and also it's very special to my heart," Johnson said. "Look, when I was a kid, 13, 14, 15, those were tough times, not only did we have tough times in the family, but also I was getting in trouble, I was getting arrested, I was doing a lot of things that I shouldn't have been doing, the Boys Club for me in Honolulu, Hawaii was always a special place that allowed me to go there, work out, play basketball, do everything I can to get me off the streets.

"I'm happy to look back now and be grateful that I had a place like that, so that's why I do something like this. There's a lot of perks to fame, moments like this, with these kids, it's easily the coolest part."

There were also school-age kids from Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Young Actors Camp.

"Hercules" hits theaters Friday, July 25.