Martin Scorsese Taps Fast and Furious Star for New Thriller!

Following his work on Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese was expected to direct a biopic on Frank Sinatra and a film adaptation of Shūsaku Endō’s The Life of Jesus. However, last October, the renowned director announced that he would be putting these two projects on hold.

We now learn that Scorsese has taken on a new venture, and it’s a significant one! He is set to direct a film featuring the Hawaiian mafia with stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

According to Deadline, the movie will be a crime drama set in Hawaii during the 1960s and 70s, based on a true story. It will depict a formidable and charismatic mafia boss who climbs to the top of the island’s most powerful criminal empire. He wages a war against mainland businesses and rival gangs while striving to protect his ancestors’ land.

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, who previously collaborated on Jungle Cruise and Benny Safdie’s upcoming indie film The Smashing Machine, proposed the film idea to Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, who were thrilled by the concept. Subsequently, all four approached writer and director Nick Bilton to pen the screenplay.

Described by its producers as reminiscent of Goodfellas and The Departed, the project is currently seeking a distributor. The feature film, still untitled, will be produced by Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Nick Bilton, Dany Garcia, Lisa Fréchette, and Rick Yorn. No filming dates have been announced yet.

Is Dwayne Johnson Shifting His Acting Focus?

After starring in the live-action Moana, the latest Fast & Furious installment, and Jumanji, Dwayne Johnson is seemingly ready to shift gears. He will soon be seen in Benny Safdie’s wrestling film The Smashing Machine.

Produced by A24, this biopic focuses on MMA and wrestling champion Mark Kerr, who battled a long-standing addiction to painkillers. The story echoes notable wrestling dramas like The Wrestler featuring Mickey Rourke and Iron Claw with Zac Efron. No release date has been disclosed yet.

Following that, The Rock is slated to appear in a new secret film by J.J. Abrams. While details are scarce, the actor hinted on Instagram that it would be “fun” and “born from the mind of Zak Penn,” the screenwriter behind Ready Player One, Free Guy, and Avengers.