Dwayne Johnson set to star in new A24 Triller "Breakthrough"

[Chris]

Dwayne Johnson Reteaming With A24 On Psychological Thriller ‘Breakthrough’

Dwayne Johnson will co-star in 'Breakthrough,' a new A24 thriller penned by Zeke Goodman, multiple sources tell Deadline.

deadline.com

After working with A24 on The Smashing Machine, the anticipated MMA drama out later this year, Dwayne Johnson is looking to get back in business with the studio. Sources tell Deadline that he’s come aboard to co-star in Breakthrough, a psychological thriller penned by up-and-comer Zeke Goodman.

Set in turn-of-the-millennium Southern California, the story follows an alienated young man who comes under the influence of a motivational guru, whose intoxicating charm masks his morally questionable methods of manipulation and his own concealed darkness. We’re told Johnson will play the supporting role of the guru, with casting still underway for the lead role and other supporting parts.

There’s no director on the project yet, but it will be produced and financed by A24. Stacey Sher’s Shiny Penny Productions will produce alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, with Jacob Epstein and Justin Wolf to exec produce via Lighthouse Management and Media.

In recent years, Johnson has been attaching himself to projects that show a different side to his capabilities as a performer, and Breakthrough is no different in that respect. Earlier this year, he set up Ripped, an adaptation of the short story by Joe Ballarini, at 20th Century Studios, with an eye to produce via Seven Bucks and potentially star. This isn’t the only high-profile project he has there at the moment, as he’s also set to star opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt in 20th’s untitled Hawaiian crime pic to be directed by Martin Scorsese. Next up, Johnson will be seen playing MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a possible awards contender from director Benny Safdie that’s slated for release October 3.

Goodman is a multi-hyphenate writer, director and actor who started his career as the star of Amazon’s I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot and their series reboot of Cruel Intentions. Both he and Johnson are repped by WME. Johnson is also represented by Gang, Tyre, Ramer; and Goodman by Lighthouse Management & Media and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.

 

[Barry Poppins]

I guarantee Rock is gonna drag the film down because he actually fucking sucks at acting.

 

[Jimmy King]

This sounds interesting and I think he will be good in that role. I’m interested in his upcoming drama from A24, it’s cool to see him branching out to do more dramas.

 

[Chris]

Yeah I'll give him a chance with the Smashing Machine one, those kind of passion projects bring out some shit I've never seen for actors

 

[Kairi HoHo]

Yeah I'll give him a chance with the Smashing Machine one, those kind of passion projects bring out some shit I've never seen for actors

In the past few Weeks I watched the Smashing Machine Doc they did and man if you've watched the Trailer for the film alot of stuff is shot for shot. If feels like a Doc vibe going on with the Film from what I saw in the first Trailer. I honestly think he's going to do well in that role and it all goes well this could be something as well for him. I hope they do a Mark Coleman Film because he was apart of the Doc and I found his life as a Veteran of MMA who people thought was washed up becoming Pride Champion just as good and needing to be explored in a live action Movie/TV Series.