- Scorsese’s film follows a Hawaiian crime boss
- Dwayne Johnson plays the lead role
- Emily Blunt and Leonardo DiCaprio are also appearing
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has addressed his casting in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film about a Hawaiian crime boss.
Johnson’s casting came as a surprise when it was confirmed last month. It is his first time in a Scorsese film, in which he will star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt.
Read more: Martin Scorsese’s new film with The Rock: Everything You Need to Know
“Grateful for what’s been the most creatively inspiring time of my career – working closely with my friends and of course, the maestro Marty Scorsese,” Johnson wrote on X/Twitter.
“In the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s the mafia controlled New York, Miami, Chicago, Vegas, and a particularly strong hold on the island I was raised – Hawaii. Much more to come. Aloha nui loa.”
Grateful for what’s been the most creatively inspiring time of my career – working closely with my friends and of course, the maestro Marty Scorsese.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 13, 2025
In the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s the mafia controlled New York, Miami, Chicago, Vegas, and a particularly strong hold on the island I was… pic.twitter.com/sydqzXsC70
What’s going to happen in the new film?
The untitled mob movie is based on a real life figure who served as a ruthless crime boss in Hawaii, fending off rival gangs in order to control the island’s criminal underworld. It is set in the ’60s and ’70s.
Read more: Filming on two Martin Scorsese movies postponed
Per Deadline, “it’s based on the untold true story of a man who fought to preserve his homeland through a ruthless quest for absolute power – igniting the last great American mob saga, where the war for cultural survival takes place in the unlikeliest of places: paradise.”
Who else is involved?
DICaprio and Blunt are currently the only other names attached. The script was written by British-American journalist, author and filmmaker Nick Bilton.
Blunt and Johnson will also work together on upcoming Benny Safdi A24 drama The Smashing Machine. They actually brought the project to Scorsese and DiCaprio, with Bilton then being brought on board as writer before the project was pitched across Hollywood. According to Deadline, there is set to be a bidding war for the rights to the movie.
What is the film’s release date?
Given that the film has not officially been greenlit by a Hollywood studio at the time of writing, there is no official release date for it as of yet. With everyone involved already being attached to several other projects in development, 2027 or 2028 is probably a likely bet for when this one lands in theatres.
