Dwayne Johnson Reteaming With A24 On Psychological Thriller ‘Breakthrough'
EXCLUSIVE: 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.
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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.
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