The Rock’s latest action movie “Skyscraper” earmarked as huge int’l project

Update: “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson’s latest action movie in the works, “Skyscraper,” is a big project with international implications, reports Deadline.com.

The movie was acquired by Legendary, which was recently bought out by Chinese company Wanda. The goal is to turn “Skyscraper” into a major movie event/revenue-driver in China.

As a result, Rock is looking at a potential $20 million payday for the movie. Deadline reports it’s in the ballpark of Rock’s “Jumanji” re-make from Sony.

“It’s a big investment, but Legendary gets a coveted China-set tentpole that could launch a franchise, and Johnson’s new affiliation with Wanda positions him to further build his brand in an elusive but vast marketplace,” said Deadline reporter Mike Fleming.

The overall picture is Johnson entering the Arnold Schwarzenegger territory of action stars who command top projects and dollars in the industry.

May 26 Update: Universal and Legendary studios have landed a new action movie project starring “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, reports Deadline.com.

The auction between several Hollywood studios concluded on Thursday, giving Universal and Legendary The Rock’s latest project, which will be set in China along the lines of a “Die Hard” movie.

Entertainment Weekly reports the working title is “Skyscraper.”

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May 23 Report: This week’s project involving “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson is the leading role in a Die Hard-style movie.

Johnson is being pitched as the lead for the action movie currently going through a bidding war among Hollywood studios, reports Deadline.com.

The bidding has roped in Universal, Sony, Paramount, New Line, and Legendary for an auction that will potentially close this week.

The package deal calls for Johnson to work with producer Beau Flynn, who just wrapped Rock’s “Baywatch” movie project, and director Rawson Marshall Thurber, who worked with Johnson on the “Central Intelligence” movie due out in June.

CinemaBlend’s Schedule of Rock Movies

• Central Intelligence – June 17, 2016
• Disney’s “Moana” – November 23, 2016
• Fast 8 – April 14, 2017
• Baywatch – May 19, 2017
• Jumanji – July 28, 2017

Movies without a release date…

• San Andreas 2
• Doc Savage
• Rampage
• Shazam!
• Big Trouble in Little China
• Journey to the Center of Earth 3 & 4
• The Robert Ludlum/Janson Directive movie series
• Skyscraper
• Jungle Cruise