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. Red One (2024)
‘The Red One’ is generating buzz as a potential Christmas blockbuster, featuring the dynamic duo of Johnson (Callum Drift) and Chris Evans (famed for his portrayal of Captain America in the MCU), who plays Jack O’Malley. The plot follows Drift, the Commander of the E.L.F. Task Force, and O’Malley, an infamous bounty hunter, who team up to rescue Santa, who is kidnapped from the North Pole, and save Christmas. Other cast members include Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu (Jacqueline Frost), Mary Elizabeth Ellis, J. K. Simmons (Santa Claus), Nick Kroll, and Kristofer Hivju (Krampus) in supporting roles. Wesley Kimmel and Bonnie Hunt (Mrs. Claus) are also set to feature in the movie. This holiday-themed action flick, directed by Jake Kasdan, promises a fresh twist on the classic Christmas narrative. Amazon Studios’ project is currently in post-production and will be released on November 15, 2024. You can have a look at the trailer here.
2. Moana 2 (2024)
The sequel to Disney’s animated musical fantasy blockbuster ‘Moana’ (2016), ‘Moana 2’ is currently in its post-production stage. It has been filmed by David G. Derrick Jr. who has also written the story. Both Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are back and have voiced their respective characters, Moana and Maui. Another addition to the voice cast is Alan Tudyk whom you might remember as Simmons’ assistant Dutch from ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon.’ The music has been composed by three-time Grammy award winner Mark Mancina, Grammy award winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, and Grammy award nominee Opetaia Foa’i. As for the story, we will follow Moana as she sets off on a surreal adventure, presumably accompanied by Maui, to the seas of Oceania after answering a call from her ancestors. The movie will be released on November 27, 2024. Check out the trailer here.
3. 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. It is expected to arrive sometime in 2025.
4. 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, 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.
5. 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, Auli’i Cravalho, who voices Moana in the animated version, will not be reprising her role. We have to wait to find out who will play the role of Moana. 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.
6. 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. 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.
7. Jumanji: The Last Story (TBA)
While ‘Jumanji 4,’ aka ‘Jumanji: The Last Story,’ is currently in its initial phases of development, there’s hope on the horizon for fans eager to dive back into the franchise. At this juncture, the project has advanced as far as the 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. Jake Kasdan is at the helm of the movie, and the production of the same is expected to begin right after the filmmaker concludes his commitment to ‘Red One.’
8. 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.’ At present, the creative team is in the nascent stages of weaving the narrative, and further updates are awaiting.
9. 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?
