Throughout both of their careers, Dwayne Johnson and JJ Abrams have been known for the franchises they’ve been attached to. Johnson was formerly known as “Franchise Viagra” he starred in so many of them, while Abrams has only directed one movie that was totally original IP, and that was 2011’s Super 8. So perhaps it was fate that these two forces would come together on a future project.
Johnson revealed over social media that he and Abrams are teaming up on a mystery film that, naturally, we have no details on except it’ll have a script by Zak Penn, known for writing huge studio blockbusters such as Free Guy, Ready Player One, and The Avengers.
“Years in the making – we finally broke bread, we drank, we laughed, got a lil’ drunk (maybe that was just me 🙋🏽♂️) we talked life stuff, love stuff, dude stuff and took our time chopping up our passion for movies and storytelling. Then we all raised a glass and toasted to….yup, this one is gonna be fun. JJ & DJ. From the mind of Zak Penn.”
So what is this project, anyway? History suggests it’ll be part of a recognizable brand, but then it makes more sense for it to be something original.Take this with a grain of salt, but scooper Jeff Sneider says the film is a “throwback” ala The Last Starfighter…
“I’m told it’s “A fantasy film with some ‘Last Starfighter’ vibes,” according to a source who added that it doesn’t take place in space and that it’s decidedly a throwback of sorts. They noted that the script has drawn mixed reception from industry insiders who have read it — but hey, ya can’t please everyone.”
Johnson is keeping busy with Moana 2, as well as the live-action Moana, the holiday action comedy Red One, and the Mark Kerr biopic The Smashing Machine.
Abrams has kept a low profile since wrapping up the Skywalker Saga, but reportedly has the conclusion of his Star Trek reboot in the works.
