A history of what Dwayne Johnson‘s been cooking.
Dwayne Johnson has been making movies for 15 years now, but many of us still think of him as The Rock. He’s still a wrestler-turned-actor rather than just one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. And yet he’s been a Hollywood player longer than he was a WWE superstar.
It’s hardly difficult to recall all the movies he’s been in. Johnson is one of the hardest working men in the business. He just finished shooting Baywatch and is already on the set of Fast 8, which he’s said to be a bigger part of than he was in Furious 7. Then he’s on to Jumanji and then…
Johnson has a lot of other movies supposedly lined up after that. The latest confirmed as being in the works is Shane Black’s adaptation of the “Doc Savage” pulp stories. It will probably happen, but who knows? Johnson has been attached to so many projects, it’s hard to know what’s actually cooking.
Here’s a little history of the movies that he’s been attached to that either never happened and never will or are still somewhere on the pipeline:
2001
- Hunting Bronze, “a Midnight Run-like action comedy to which The Rock is firmly attached.” (Variety)
- Untitled Brian Helgeland Movie, which “The Rock … is in pole position to topline.” (Variety)
2002
- King Kamehameha Biopic, for which Johnson said, “Sony Pictures has just purchased the rights and (the project) will be in development for myself to play King Kamehameha in a movie based on his life. (AP)
- Untitled Amish Buddy Action Movie, for which “the wrestler and Scorpion King star is attached to an untitled screenplay described by its writers as a comedy inspired by the 1985 Harrison Ford thriller Witness. (THR via EW)
- Spy Hunter, an adaptation of the classic video game, which “the studio reportedly intends to develop the property as a franchise vehicle for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. (Variety via IGN)
- Johnny Bravo, an adaptation of the cartoon series; “the studio is hoping to sign The Rock for the title role.” (Variety via IGN)
2005
- Ride Along, aka Blowback, which was originally “a starring vehicle for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.” (Variety via MovieWeb)
2007
- Shazam!, a comic book movie already in development for years; “Dwayne Johnson, the actor formerly known as “The Rock,” confirmed to SCI FI Wire that he will play the villainous Black Adam.” (SCI FI WIRE)
2008
- Tomorrowland, “an epic-sized action adventure set in space … being designed as a vehicle for Johnson.” (Variety via MovieWeb)
- Other People’s Wishes, a family film from Matt and Billy Eddy “ with producer Bob Simonds and Dwayne Johnson attached.” (THR)
- Take My Wife, for which Lionsgate has made a preemptive bid … and is negotiating to acquire a comedy that teams Dwayne Johnson and Tyler Perry.” (Deadline)
2009
- Holy Cow!, “a CG-animated feature that will have Dwayne Johnson providing the voice of a macho Texas steer.” (Variety)
- Commando, a remake for which “rumors are circulating that Dwayne Johnson is being considered to fill Arnold Schwarzenegger’s shoes.” (MovieWeb)
- Captain America, which was rumored to be eyeing Johnson, who at least offered interest by stating, “absolutely. If it’s entertaining for the audiences, yeah.” (The Geek Files)
2010
- Racing Dreams, a dramatic feature remake of the Johnson-produced documentary from 2009 that Johnson will also produce. (Variety)
2012
- Journey 3: From the Earth to the Moon, another adventure sequel, for which “the characters played by Hutcherson and Johnson in the last installment return.” (The Wrap)
- Lobo, based on the DC Comics character, which was personally confirmed by the actor. (Johnson via Twitter)
- Lore, a graphic novel adaptation that “Barry Sonnenfeld [was] in talks to direct Dwayne Johnson in.” (Deadline)
2013
- G.I. Joe 3, “which will definitely happen,” according to Johnson. (Collider)
- Teddy Bear, “based on an illustration, and it comes with Dwayne Johnson attached to produce and potentially star.” (THR)
- The Fall Guy, “the long-in-the-works movie version of 1980s TV series … is coming together once again, this time as a vehicle for Dwayne Johnson. (THR)
- Not Without Hope, a lost at sea movie for which “Dwayne Johnson is now looking to take on a stronger dramatic role; he is attached to star in Relativity’s adaptation of the best-selling memoir.” (Variety)
- SEAL Team 666, about Navy SEALs battling demons, in which “Dwayne Johnson is attached to star … also executive produce.” (THR)
- The Rundown 2, a sequel for which Peter Berg revealed he’s “talked to Dwayne” about. (/Film)
2014
- The Janson Directive, a possible franchise adapted from Robert Ludlum’s books. (confirmed by Johnson via Twitter)
- Journey to the Center of the Earth 4, another sequel, along with Journey 3, where Johnson is “attached to star in the new installments, which could be filmed back-to-back, schedule permitting.” (THR)
2015
- Alpha Squad Seven, “a sci-fi action comedy pitch that has Dwayne Johnson attached to star … described as four-quadrant action-comedy adventure set in space [a la] Independence Day, Armageddon, and Guardians of the Galaxy.” (THR)
- Big Trouble in Little China, “Johnson is making a deal to play Jack Burton” and produce the remake. (The Wrap)
- Jungle Cruise, for which “Johnson is attached to star … based on the classic ride.” (THR)
- Rampage, an adaptation of the destructive monsters arcade game, where “the plan is for Johnson to star in this film after he completes production on Fast & Furious 8.” (Deadline)
- Untitled Larry Hillblom Project, a biopic about the billionaire DHL founder, in which “Dwayne Johnson is attached to star.” (The Tracking Board)
2016
- San Andreas 2, a sequel to the disaster movie that “Johnson is swinging back to.” (THR)
- Skyscraper, which “has Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson attached to star … described as an adventure thriller that takes place in a mega-skyscraper set in China … said to have shades of Die Hard … as well as Towering Inferno.” (THR)
- Jumanji, which Johnson confirmed, he will “produce and deliver to a whole new generation, a title that I love and is one of my all time favs.” (Johnson via Instagram)
- Doc Savage, which is now “official.” (Johnson via Instagram)
And here are the ones definitely arriving in theaters over the next couple years:
2016
- Central Intelligence, opening June 17.
- Moana, opening November 23.
2017
- Fast 8, opening April 14.
- Baywatch, opening May 19.