Dwayne Johnson news: Playing Doc Savage?
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was handpicked by the "Iron Man III" writer−director Shane Black to play the titular character in a film the latter has been trying to do since forever, a big-screen adaptation of pulp fiction's Doc Savage. Black has had this project lined up since 2013 when he signed on with Sony to co-write and direct it, but it never seemed the right time to pursue it. The seasoned director has signaled recently that start of production on the film may not be too far off.
In an interview with Thrillist, Black shared, "Doc Savage is sort of in the ether now. We're hoping to make it sometime next year. I would very much like to do Doc with a fellow named Dwayne Johnson if we can make that work. I made a decision that Dwayne is the guy. It's on the back burner while he's busy."
It was rumored a while back that Chris Hemsworth was being considered for the part, however, Johnson would be the clear choice once Black described the kind of actor he had in mind to play the part.
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"They kind of gotta be tall. He's the perfect physical specimen and when people look at him, they're overawed by the sort of symmetry and perfection he exudes. You need someone magnetic and someone a little bit off because that's the fun of the character. He's been secluded from people and kept from any social niceties for so long that he's become a savant," according to Black.
Before the upsurge of Marvel superheroes, Doc Savage was the ultimate hero. His popularity in the thirties and forties, an almost perfect hero---an explorer, a scientist, a doctor, and much more---who could do almost anything, from creating novel gadgets and playing a musical instrument, to kicking his way out of any fight.
It is all very well to have found the fitting choice to take on the pulp icon role of Clark "Doc" Savage, Jr. But as the director himself has said, Johnson's schedule has so much lined up, the project may have to wait some more.
Johnson has just concluded with filming for "Baywatch," but the actor has a few more projects waiting as "Rampage," "Fast and Furious 8," and "San Andreas 2." Black may have to squeeze himself in, and it may be a tight fit.
