Dwayne Johnson to Lead ‘The Janson Directive’

Because Dwayne Johnson doesn’t have enough action/adventure franchises already, he could find himself with yet another one on his hands. The actor has confirmed he’ll star inThe Janson Directive, based on the book by Bourne author Robert Ludlum. Akiva Goldsman is writing the script.

Hit the jump for more on the Dwayne Johnson Janson Directive casting.

Reports that Johnson could lead The Janson Directive began circulating in July. Then this week, Johnson himself announced the casting on Twitter.

Naturally, Universal Pictures is hoping this leads to a full-fledged franchise with Johnson at the center. It’ll be one of many. He currently has major roles in the Fast & Furious, G.I. Joe, and Journey to the Center of the Earth series.

On top of that, he has several more potentially brewing. He recently booked a lead role in Warner Bros. / DC’s Shazam adaptation, and his upcoming San Andreas has beendescribed as a possible franchise-starter as well.

This summer’s Hercules was also supposed to lead to a new film series, though as of now there’s no word on a sequel. Basically, everyone everywhere wants Dwayne Johnson to star in everything, at least as long as it involves toting a gun or flexing his biceps.

The Janson Directive will feature Johnson as Paul Janson, a former Navy SEAL and legendary spy who leaves the U.S. government to start his own agency. However, he finds himself being hunted down by his own former bosses. To save himself, he must get to the bottom of a massive conspiracy.

That description sounds more than a little Bourne-esque, and it’s worth noting that theBourne movies are set up at Universal too. The studio hasn’t mentioned the possibility of a crossover, but given the current craze for “Marvel-style” cinematic universe it wouldn’t be so surprising if they tried to unite the threads eventually.

Goldsman is coming off of his directorial debut Winter’s Tale, which he also scripted based on the book by Mark Helprin. In 2002, Goldsman won an Oscar for scripting Ron Howard’sA Beautiful Mind. The Janson Directive does not yet have a director or release date.

slashfilm.com

EXCLUSIVE — Pumping Iron: The Rock Spends $300,000 on Home Gym!

 Previously posted on February 6, 2014 by Jose Lambiet 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently tweeted photos of a workout (via Twitter)

SOUTHWEST RANCHES — It’s going to cost some dough for Dwayne The Rock Johnson to keep his body fit!

A source close to the builders of Johnson’s brand new house in the Broward County area of Southwest Ranches tells me the wrestler-turned-actor just plunked down $300,000 for a custom-designed gym in the new crib.

Yep, $300,000! That’s the price of a nice home in these parts!

And at 4,000-square-feet, the workout room is larger than the average house!

Movie star Dwayne The Rock Johnson paid $4.5 million for this nearly-finished mansion in Broward County (Landmark Custom Homes photo)

The gym’s weights and contraptions are also being custom-built for the star of Journey to The Center of The Earth.

Gossip Extra reported it exclusively in December: The Rock paid $4.5 million for the new place in Southwest Ranches, just down the street from his ex-wife.

Workers are scheduled to build the room in the spring, shortly before Johnson’s scheduled to move into the 13,700-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-car garage crib in the fancy neighborhood of Landmark Ranch Estates, just west of Fort Lauderdale.

Movie star Dwayne The Rock Johnson paid $4.5 million for this nearly-finished mansion in Broward County (Landmark Custom Homes photo)

gossipextra.com

New Line is planning for Journey 3

EXCLUSIVE

“Journey 2” doesn’t hit theaters until Feb. 10, but the movie tested well over the weekend, and New Line has attached the film’s team to “Journey 3” – if there is such a movie – TheWrap has learned.

Director Brad Peyton, writers Brian Gunn, and Mark Gunn and producers Beau Flynn, Charlotte Huggins and Tripp Vinson are attached to the third installment in the franchise.

The first of the “Journey” films, the 2008 “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” grossed nearly $102 million domestically and $242 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.

That movie starred Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson. Eric Brevig directed.

The second, the 3D “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” stars Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson and Vanessa Hudgens.

It is unclear whether they will return for a third “Journey” film, but TheWrap has learned that the studio would like to have the cast, as well as the director, writers and producers, back for a possible third “Journey.”

The first movie was based on Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” The second is based on his “Mysterious Island.”

thewrap.com

Leaders hope ‘Journey 2’ will give second life to Hollywood East

wwaytv3.com

Submitted by Ramon Herrera on Wed, 10/20/2010 – 10:36am.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been more than a year since Screen Gems Studio’s Dream Stage opened, And it’s finally getting some work. A day after the Governor’s office made a big announcement about a movie filming here in the Port City, we get details of the project from the local film commission.

The Cape Fear has long prided itself for being know as Hollywood East, but the past couple of years it seemed like we couldn’t get anyone to film here.

“It was disheartening to lose two Nicholas Sparks films that were probably going to be filmed here ’cause of incentive policy at the time,” Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said. “But everyone has been working hard and for the last 24 months, really working hard, to try and save this industry not only for Wilmington but the entire state of North Carolina.”

Saffo can easily smile now that the sequel to “Journey to the Center of the Earth” will shoot right here in the Cape Fear.

Wilmington Regional Film Commission director Johnny Griffin said Wilmington had a lot to offer, like a local crew, facilities, locations, weather and, yes, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” will use the water tank at Screen Gems for the first time ever.

“Their decision to come to Wilmington is based on several things,” Griffin said. “The tank is playing very prominently in this. They have some work that needs to be done in a water tank controlled environment, so the new Stage 10 that Screen Gems has built is a key factor in that.”

The film will use five of the ten stages at Screen Gems. The TV series “One Tree Hill” is using three of the other stages. With the studio almost at capacity, local leaders are hopeful “Journey 2” will spark the rebirth of Hollywood East.

“To have this lot almost now full is a testament that the film industry is alive and well here in Wilmington,” Saffo said.

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” will start production later this month in Wilmington. The movie stars Dwayne Johnson and Oscar-winner Michael Caine.

Big Brave Dwayne

ramascreen.com

And we thought Dwayne Johnson‘s obsession with family friendly flicks was over, we thought he’s gone back to action with FASTER and FAST FIVE, things were lookin’ great and we thought he’s going to stay action star forever, but boy were we wrong!

Just the other day, it was reported that he’s in negotiation to star in JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH sequel, THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND..and now Production Weekly tweeted that Johnson is circling the adaptation of BIG BRAVE BRIAN based on the children’s novel by M.P. Robertson.
Well, I suppose you can’t blame a guy for banking money on this type of film.. but here’s to hoping that Sly would cast Johnson in THE EXPENDABLES 2, Cheers!..

Big Brave Brian is the bravest man in the world. His house is filled with hideous beasts: disgusting, slimy bog monsters, fearsome giants, and all manner of mysterious things that go bump in the night. But there is one thing that Brian is terrified of, and it’s in his bedroom, waiting for him to come in . . . Brian’s collection of wonderfully grotesque creatures appeals to children’s sense of fun, and his amusing, surprising fear of cleaning his room provides the perfect starting point to discuss a young child’s own fears and worries.