(Thanks to Pro Wrestling Realm)

The Rock may gain Movie Stardom



As studios search for the next franchisable action hero, suddenly everybody wants a piece of The Rock.

Dwayne Johnson, a gridironer-turned-grappler whose character The Rock is the top draw of the World Wrestling Federation, is in advanced talks to star in two major films, and he'll get near $5 million per picture.
Johnson is negotiating to topline -- in dual good guy/bad guy roles -- an untitled but big budget scifi film for producer Joe Roth to be scripted and directed by Glen Morgan and James Wong, ``X-Files´´ exec producers who also wrote and directed the surprise hit ``Final Destination.´´
Johnson is also in serious talks with Universal to star in a prequel to the studio's franchise hit ``The Mummy´´ which would concentrate on the Scorpion King character he plays in ``The Mummy 2.´´ While Johnson´s screen time in that sequel is limited to a few showy scenes, studio brass were impressed enough with the dailies to hatch deal talks.

While the movie activity seems sudden, it's the result of two years of aggressive agenting, and a campaign to demonstrate the charisma honed by The Rock after years playing to crowds as a football player and then a wrestler.
Adelstein began inviting studio execs to the matches to meet Johnson and see him at work. After guesting on talk shows, Johnson hosted ``Saturday Night Live,´´ getting the show´s biggest ratings in eight years. Adelstein then began pitching him not only for macho fare, but dramas and comedies as well.

Johnson's first major starring role will likely be with Morgan and Wong, as Roth is already eyeing the film to be in production and ready for distribution next summer.

This has always been a goal of mine, something we´ve collectively put a lot of effort into,´´ said Johnson. ``I was very comfortable acting in ´The Mummy 2,´ which is the beauty of playing the character of The Rock on television on a weekly basis. The Rock is essentially Dwayne Johnson, magnified, over the edge and with the volume turned up to the highest degree. He´s a nonlinear character with a lot of depth.´´