Harsh Vardhan
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a household name in the entertainment industry, has carved an extraordinary career path that has taken him from the wrestling ring to Hollywood’s A-list. Born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California, Johnson’s journey to stardom began with his wrestling career in the 1990s. His charisma and athleticism quickly propelled him to become one of the most iconic figures in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), earning him numerous championships and legions of fans.
Transitioning seamlessly from wrestling to acting, Johnson made his cinematic debut in 2001’s ‘The Mummy Returns,’ where he portrayed the Scorpion King. This marked the beginning of a remarkable film career that has seen him tackle diverse roles, from action-packed blockbusters like ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ to heartfelt family films like ‘Moana,’ where he lent his voice to the character Maui.
Beyond the silver screen, Johnson’s influence extends to entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and motivational speaking, making him a multifaceted and inspirational figure in the entertainment world. His journey from a wrestling ring to a Hollywood Walk of Fame star is a testament to his talent, dedication, and undeniable charisma. Should reports surface claiming that Dwayne Johnson allocates merely one hour per night for slumber, it would hardly come as a surprise. Undoubtedly one of the most industrious individuals in the entertainment industry, Johnson consistently amazes as he effortlessly embraces project after project with unwavering dedication and zeal. Here is a comprehensive look at his upcoming projects.
1. The Smashing Machine (2025)
‘Smashing Machine’ is a riveting biographical film chronicling the life of UFC Champion Mark Kerr. Hailing from Ohio, Kerr was an unstoppable force during his heyday. His compelling journey was previously documented in the hard-hitting 2002 HBO documentary ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Johnson confirmed his involvement in portraying Kerr’s life on the big screen, while simultaneously taking on a producer’s role for the project. Emily Blunt will play the role of Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. Other members of the cast include Oleksandr Usyk, Lyndsey Gavin, Ryan Bader, and Zoe Kosovic. The film is in its post-production phase and is expected to arrive sometime in 2025.
2. Fast X: Part 2 (2026)
The forthcoming sequel is expected to continue the storyline of ‘Fast X,’ following the precarious situation of Dom and his son Brian after their dramatic encounter with Dante’s dam detonation. With Louis Leterrier at the helm and based on a story by Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel, fans are eager to witness the resurrection of Gal Gadot’s character Gisele Yashar, and the return of Johnson’s Luke Hobbs in the movie, as hinted in a tantalizing post-credits scene. The film will also feature Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Tyrese Gibson, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. As the film is in the pre-production stage, enthusiasts will have to mark their calendars for the estimated June 2026 to see how this adrenaline-pumping saga unfolds.
3. Moana (2026)
‘Moana’ is on the horizon as an eagerly anticipated live-action fantasy musical film based on Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016). The original movie revolves around Moana’s journey to return the heart of the goddess Te Fitti from Maui after the plants and the fish on her island start dying due to a blight. The exciting news comes with the confirmation that Johnson is reprising his charismatic role as Maui in this upcoming adaptation. However, Catherine Laga’aia, and not Auli’i Cravalho (the voice of Moana in the animated version), will voice the titular character. The rest of the voice cast includes Frankie Adams as Sina, Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, and John Tui as Chief Tui. The film is helmed by Thomas Kail, with Dwayne Johnson also taking on a producing role. As of now, ‘Moana’ is in its filming phase, steadily working its way toward a highly anticipated release scheduled for July 10, 2026.
4. Jumanji 3 (2026)
‘Jumanji 3’ has already reached its scripting stage, implying that while a bit of patience may be required, a fresh installment is indeed in the pipeline. Integral to the resounding success of the recent films has been the stellar cast comprising Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Awkwafina, and Nick Jonas, whose involvement has been nothing short of pivotal.
Encouragingly, the word on the grapevine suggests a strong likelihood of the main cast’s return, which promises the viewers to bring back the magic that fans have come to love and expect from this exceptional ensemble. In addition, Bebe Neuwirth, who starred in the Robin Williams-led ‘Jumanji’ (1995) will also play a role, perhaps reprising her character Nora Shepherd. Jake Kasdan is at the helm of the movie, which is slated for release on December 11, 2026.
5. Red Notice 2 (TBA)
While the storyline remains shrouded in secrecy, – ‘Red Notice 2’ is in the pipeline and is expected to enter production in late 2024. Fans can look forward to the return of Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot as John Hartley, Nolan Booth, and The Bishop, respectively. The appetite for a sequel was evident even before the original ‘Red Notice’ debuted on Netflix, with Johnson expressing his interest in a follow-up.
Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions played a pivotal role in bringing the first installment to the screen, and they are once again involved in the production of the sequel, to be helmed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. The film is currently in its scripting stage. Furthermore, a third ‘Red Notice’ film was also greenlit by Netflix, with a back-to-back filming schedule in place. There is no release date announced yet.
6. Jungle Cruise 2 (TBA)
‘Jungle Cruise 2’ serves as a sequel to Disney’s 2021 film ‘Jungle Cruise,’ which revolves around a riverboat captain who takes a scientist and her brother through a jungle in search of the Tree of Life. The plot of the sequel remains cloaked in secrecy, but Johnson (Frank Wolff/Francisco Lopez de Heredia) and Emily Blunt (Dr. Lily Houghton) are set to reprise their beloved roles, and director Jaume Collet-Serra will steer the ship for ‘Jungle Cruise 2,’ based on a story by Michael Green. At present, the creative team is in the nascent stages of weaving the narrative, and further updates are awaiting.
7. Untitled Fast & Furious Film (TBA)
This forthcoming film is distinct from both a sequel and a spin-off of ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ as it carves its own unique path within the ‘Fast & Furious’ universe. Chris Morgan, a seasoned collaborator within the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, penned the screenplay, setting the stage for an exciting addition to this action-packed film series. Universal is orchestrating Dwayne Johnson’s triumphant return to the ‘Fast & Furious’ realm, with the actor reprising his iconic role as Luke Hobbs while simultaneously taking on a production role for the project. News also confirms the involvement of Maurice P. Kerry in the cast. As the film currently resides in the pre-production stage, intricate plot details and a comprehensive timeline are safely under wraps.
Read More: Where Was Jumanji: The Next Level Filmed?
