The Rock books ‘Free Byrd’ movie role
One of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s next movie roles will see him play a daredevil attempting to pull off one last stunt.
It was announced by Variety today that Johnson will star in “Free Byrd” (no connection to the wrestling faction) — a movie from Ben Affleck & Matt Damon’s production company Artists Equity. It’s an action-drama where Johnson plays a motorcycle stuntman who is concealing a dementia diagnosis from those around him:
- ‘Free Byrd’ stars Johnson as a Las Vegas motorcycle stuntman who conceals his dementia diagnosis from everyone, including his mechanic brother, as he risks everything on one last jump. The film, the official logline explains, ‘examines and confronts the mind’s vast mysteries and the beauty and power of asking for help before it’s too late.’
The film is being directed by Greg Kwedar, who has Academy Award nominations for “Train Dreams” and “Sing Sing.” Those nominations were earned in back-to-back years and were both for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Johnson told Variety that the subject matter of “Free Byrd” has become “deeply personal” to both himself and Kwedar.
“’Free Byrd’ is a gift in many ways,” Johnson said. “Emblematic of life’s sacred beauty, as well as life’s harsh and callous reality. The subject matter of ‘Free Byrd’ has become deeply personal to Greg Kwedar and myself as we’ve started to unpack this fateful journey together. Artists Equity have been incredible filmmaking and artistic partners, who not only share Greg’s vision for the film, but who are all connected to our story in their own unique and personal ways. When the mind of a loved one begins to slip away, life sure takes on a whole new meaning.”
Other upcoming roles for The Rock —
This announcement comes in advance of Johnson’s live-action “Moana” film hitting theaters on Friday (July 10). Balancing big franchises with more serious roles like we saw in “The Smashing Machine,” some of Johnson’s other upcoming projects include a third “Jumanji” film and a Hawaiian crime drama that he’s partnered with legendary director Martin Scorsese for.
It remains to be seen when we’ll see Johnson in WWE next, but WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia would seem to be a possible option.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.