Dwayne Johnson Says He’s ‘Very Hungry’ for New ‘Challenge’ After Being Cast in A24 Thriller

Dwayne Johnson is ready to dive into an exciting new role.

Earlier this month, Deadline reported that the 53-year-old Moana star had landed a supporting part in a new psychological thriller called Breakthrough from the independent film studio A24.

He’s set to play a life coach in the project, which will reportedly be “set in turn-of-the-millennium Southern California.” Johnson’s character will charm “an alienated young man,” per Deadline. However, the reality is that his charming personality “masks his morally questionable methods of manipulation and his own concealed darkness.”

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, May 29, Johnson seemingly confirmed that he will star in the film. He also made it very clear that he is looking forward to the opportunity to play such a complex character.

“I’ve been very hungry (and grateful) for this kind of challenge,” he wrote in the caption, which accompanied a screenshot of Deadline‘s original article. “The story is a deep dark psychological dive into the culture of motivational ‘gurus’, and those souls seeking to find their greater purpose in life.”

He continued, writing, “It’s a character I can try to unhinge. And perhaps rip open.”

Deadline noted that other big casting decisions, including who will land the lead, are still up for discussion. Johnson will also assist with production duties via his Seven Bucks Productions company.

A director is not yet attached to the project. Actor and writer Zeke Goodman has reportedly been tapped to handle the script.

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This will mark another collaboration between Johnson and A24. He appears alongside Emily Blunt in The Smashing Machine, which will debut in theaters later this year on Oct. 3. The film tells the story of real-life UFC legend Mark Kerr, with Johnson landing the lead role.

Blunt, who Johnson previously collaborated with on 2021’s Jungle Cruise, is set to play Kerr’s wife Dawn.

In April Kerr took to Instagram to gush about the movie, saying that he was “in disbelief that this is real.”

“I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for every little detail production uncovered,” he gushed. “Can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”

The Smashing Machine follows two movies that he starred in last year — Moana 2 and Red One. The latter saw him pair with the likes of Chris Evans and Lucy Liu. Meanwhile the former offered an opportunity to reunite with Moana star Auliʻi Cravalho.

Speaking to PEOPLE in November 2024, Cravalho recalled her first interactions with her legendary costar.

“I remember when I first met him he brought me flowers and he enveloped me in the largest hug,” she said, recalling that he “hugged [her] mom,” who had a funny response: “And my mom was like, ‘Ooh, I’m going to go Rock climbing.’ “

She laughed, saying, “I was so embarrassed because who says that? Who says that? Oh my God. That’s a memory that will never get out of my head.”

Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in a live-action version of Moana, which is expected to roll into theaters in the summer of 2026.

Breakthrough and The Smashing Machine signify more serious roles for the star, who has famously shown off his daring in action projects such as the Fast & Furious franchise and DC’s Black Adam.

Source People.com