“Young Rock is the No. 2 new comedy of the current television season in the key 18-49 demographic. The pilot episode, which premiered back on February 16 has been seen by 13.4 million viewers. NBC also noted that “Young Rock” is the network’s top comedy debut across digital platforms on record through 60 days with 3.6 million digital views.
“Young Rock” has former WWE Superstar Dwayne Johnson starting as a fictionalized version of himself, where he telling stories about his childhood and teenage years during his run for President of the United States during the 2032 election.
Episodes during the first season focused on different chapters of Johnson’s life – from growing up in a strong and resilient family, to being surrounded by the wild and crazy characters of his professional wrestling family, and playing football at the University of Miami.
“Young Rock is produced by Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions and Fierce Baby Productions with Johnson, Nahnatchka Khan, Jeff Chiang, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Jennifer Carreras as executive producers for season one.
Former WWE Champion The Rock has released the first official trailer for the new “Young Rock” comedy series from NBC.
The series will premiere on Tuesday, February 16 at 8pm ET, and will run for thirty minutes each week.
Rock tweeted about the trailer release and wrote, “Our 1st official trailer for @NBC’s #YoungRock. Humbly shaking my head at the wild Forrest Gump-ish life I’ve lived. And man the lessons I learned along the way from loved ones who now walk in the clouds. Look forward to making ya laugh & maybe a little bit more. FEB 16th!”
Young Rock will chronicle the formative years of “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, and The Great One himself will appear in each episode.
NBC gave the series a straight-to-series order in January of last year. Filming on Young Rock began back in November in Queensland, Australia, at locations in and around Brisbane and South East Queensland. The show is coming from Fresh Off the Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan and co-executive producer Jeff Chiang, who wrote the pilot episode together. Khan and Chiang are executive producing Young Rock, along with Rock, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Jennifer Carreras and former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz of Seven Bucks Productions. Daina Reid will direct various episodes, while Jeffrey Walker will serve as co-executive producer.
The Rock, who has said the series will be special and unlike anything else he’s ever done, previously revealed the cast of the show, with details on each character they will be playing, including the role of his late father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. You can click here for that reveal.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The People’s Champion – From WWE to Hollywood, a biography on The Rock’s career, is coming out on November 29 in Kindle eBook and paperback format.
The nearly 400 page book features a look at Rock’s rise through pro wrestling and transition to Hollywood. The book includes quotes from friends, family, coworkers, and Rock himself.
Below is the full press release:
FINALLY… from the author of the highly regarded Owen Hart: King of Pranks comes the wrestling biography every WWE fan and the millions… and millions of Rock fanatics around the world have been waiting for!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The People’s Champion – From WWE to Hollywood charts the personal life and wrestling career of ten-time WWF/WWE/WCW Champion and movie megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in-depth for the very first time.
Along with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vince McMahon and the concept of “Attitude”, the emergence of The Rock was instrumental in turning the languishing World Wrestling Federation, on the brink of downsizing, into a billion dollar entity within two years. With The Rock at the forefront, the WWF routinely broke viewership, box office and ticket sales records. In 2000, The Rock became the most well-known mainstream professional wrestler in the world and in 2001 Dwayne entered the Guinness Book of Records as the highest paid debuting lead actor for his star-making turn in The Scorpion King.
After several years of ever-decreasing in-ring appearances, Dwayne left wrestling behind in 2004 to fully focus on his burgeoning Hollywood career. Despite commanding eight figure sums for every starring role, the mid-2000s would see Dwayne’s career start to falter, with lukewarm critical reviews at best for his creative output. Dwayne had been forcibly separated from everything that had made him and The Rock character an overnight success until finally he decided enough was enough and took back control of his destiny. In 2011, Dwayne would return to his roots, not only as a pro wrestler but as The Rock, and has not looked back since.
Jam-packed with quotes from his friends, family, co-workers and the man himself, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The People’s Champion is the most comprehensive and exhaustive biography ever created on “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports and Entertainment”. From childhood to getting cut by the Canadian Football League; from Flex Kavana in Memphis to Rocky Maivia in the WWF; from the Nation of Domination to The Corporation; from wrestling’s biggest box office attraction to the highest paid actor in Hollywood. All the big storylines and why they happened. All the backstage manoeuvrings and inside stories. All the on-screen feuds and all the rivalries behind the scenes. All the people that got him to where he is today and the co-workers who did their damndest to hold him back. At nearly 400 pages long, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The People’s Champion has got you covered, if you smell what The Rock is cookin’!
Exclusive to Amazon, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The People’s Champion is available from the 29th of November in Kindle eBook and paperback (Pre-order available now in eBook format only).
The Rock is part of group that paid $15 million in August to purchase the league, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April following suspension of operations amid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and ended inaugural season on March 20 after Week 5 games.
The Rock took to Instagram this morning and revealed the main cast members for his upcoming “Young Rock” comedy series that is scheduled to premiere on NBC in the near future. The series will look at Rock’s formative years, with The Great One himself appearing in each episode.
Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions company is one of the groups behind the new series. Rock noted that production is kicking off this week.
Bradley Constant will star as the 15 year old Dwayne Johnson.
“#YOUNGROCK Officially KICKIN’ OFF PRODUCTION! Ladies & gents, here’s the cast of our new @NBC comedy, #YOUNGROCK. A series based on my wild and unpredictable childhood and formative years growing up. @bradleyconstant will take the reigns of playing me at 15 and clearly kicking puberty’s ass [laugh emoji] [muscle emoji] This show is gonna be a fun one and can’t wait for you guys to watch!,” Rock wrote of Constant.
Stacey Leilua will play his mother, Ata Johnson.
Rock wrote, “And playing my mom @atajohnson aka Mama Rock is the talented and lovely @staceyleilua. Many of you know my moms story – cancer survivor, gone thru hell and back, incredible life and still the sweetest human being on the planet. And still goes to smack me when I cuss [face palm emoji] [laughing emoji]”
Rock’s grandmother Lia Maivia will be played by Ana Tuisila.
“This role is a special one and HIGHLY entertaining. Playing my grandma, Lia Maivia will be the one of a kind, Ana Tuisila. Cool backstory: My grandmother, Lia Maivia was pro wrestling’s first women’s promoter. She HAD TO BE tough as nails in a male dominated, shark infested world of wrestling. She set the bar for tough business practices and also set the bar for how loving a sweet grandma could be to her only grandson – me [smiley emoji] She was also charged by the feds for extortion, eventually deported, became homeless and lost everything in the early 90’s. Crazy life. I was blessed enough to help change that hard time scenario around and get her back on her feet. Her journey was unreal and can’t wait for you guys to watch!,” Rock wrote of the role.
WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson will be played by Joseph Lee Anderson. Rock remembered his father when commenting on the role.
He wrote, “And playing the OG original Rock – my pops, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson is the charismatic @iamjosephleeanderson [explosion emoji] As you guys know my dad passed away earlier this year so this role is a special one and our first episode is dedicate to him [folded hands emoji] My dad was a true trail blazer and broke color barriers all across our country in the 60s, 70s & 80s. One half of the first black tag team champions (with Tony Atlas) my pops was a bad dude in the game. I miss him. This ones for you Rock.”
The 20 year old version of Rock will be played by Uli Latukefu.
“Coming in hot and lowering the University of MIAMI BOOM [football emoji] [explosion emoji] is @ulilatukefu! Playing at THE U – these years were some of my most defining. The highs are incredible, but the lows were critical. 275lbs of upper body violence, attitude and clearly eating too much pizza,” Rock wrote.
Finally, it was announced that the 10 year old Rock will be played by Adrian Groulx. Rock referred to the actor as the anchor of the show, and his hero.
“This kid @adriangroulx is our anchor and my hero [fist emoji] He’s got the hardest job of ’em of all playing ‘little Dewey’ – yes, unfortunately that was the nickname my God parents gave me after the weather – as in dewdrops. Jesus. [face palm emoji] [laughing emoji] At 10yrs old, I was rambunctious as all hell [devil emoji], was already girl crazy [crazy face emoji] and loved pro wrestling — especially the part when wrestlers would bleed [blood drop emoji] [emoji] [skull emoji] [laughing emoji] This kid, Adrian is my hero because I look back at this time in my life so fondly and how I viewed the world thru my 10yr old eyes. I was all these things but at the core I was a sweet little boy and a complicated little cub [cub emoji] who just needed guidance. Years later here we are and I did alright [folded hands emoji] [fist emoji] This passion project is special and I’m boundless grateful to EVERYONE who is lending their talents, passion, love and mana to bring it to life. Can’t wait for you guys to watch this one!,” Rock wrote.
Former WWE Champion The Rock and his family recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Rock posted an 11 minute video to Instagram today and revealed that he and his immediate family are currently recovering from the coronavirus. Rock, 48, and his wife Lauren Hashian, 35, have two daughters together – Tiana, who was born in April 2018, and Jasmine, who was born in December 2016. Rock also has a 19 year old daughter from his first marriage, Simone, who is signed to a WWE developmental deal. She apparently did not catch the virus.
As seen in the video below, Rock talked about how COVID-19 has been one of the most challenging and most difficult things that they have had to endure as a family, and for him personally. He noted that they are all now doing better and are healthy, and are “on the other end” of the virus. He also said they are no longer contagious.
Rock revealed that they caught COVID-19 from very close family friends, who they “love and trust.” He added that the friends are devastated over what happened, and have no idea where they got it from.
It was also noted that Rock and his family have been under quarantine for months, and he has not worked while recovering from the virus. He encouraged people to wear masks, work on boosting your immune systems, and test people who you let in your home.
You can find more about Rock’s experience with COVID-19 by watching the video below. He captioned the video with the following:
My message to all of you around the [Earth emoji]
Stay disciplined.
Boost your immune system.
Commit to wellness.
Wear your mask.
Protect your family.
Be strict about having people over your house or gatherings.
Stay positive.
And care for your fellow human beings.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, his long-time business partner Dany Garcia, and Cardinale’s RedBird Capital have purchased the XFL. The group reportedly spit the price of $15 million dollars evenly, according to Sportico.com.
The Rock has now taken to social media to confirm the news. He also took the time to make a statement on the purchase, saying that the group will work tirelessly to bring something special to the XFL fans.
“With my trail blazing partner @DanyGarciaCo & Red Bird Capital, we have acquired the XFL,” Dwayne writes. “With gratitude & passion I’ve built a career with my own two hands and will apply these callouses to our @xfl2020 brand. Excited to create something special for the fans! #XFL #fullcircle”
This new transaction is required to be approved through a bankruptcy court at a hearing this Friday, August 7. If all conditions are properly met, it is expected to close around the date of August 21.
Like most kids growing up, I dreamed about being a superhero. Having cool superpowers, fighting for what’s right and always protecting the people.
It all changed for me, when I was 10yrs old and was first introduced to the greatest superhero of all time – SUPERMAN.
As a kid, Superman was the hero I always wanted to be.
But, a few years into my fantasy, I realized that Superman was the hero, I could never be.
I was too rebellious. Too rambunctious. Too resistant to convention and authority.
Despite my troubles, I was still a good kid with a good heart – I just liked to do things my way.
Now, years later as a man, with the same DNA I had as a kid – my superhero dreams have come true.
I’m honored to join the iconic #DCUniverse and it’s a true pleasure to become, BLACK ADAM.
BLACK ADAM is blessed by magic with the powers equal to SUPERMAN, but the difference is he doesn’t toe the mark or walk the line.
He’s a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people – but he does it his way. Truth and justice – the BLACK ADAM way.
This role is unlike any other I’ve ever played in my career and I’m grateful to the bone we’ll all go on this journey together.
The character of Black Adam is an anti-hero who is Shazam’s nemesis. The project has been in and out of development for years. Johnson was offered the role of Shazam during casting of the film released earlier this year, but he chose to stick with Black Adam. There was talk of his character appearing in “Shazam!” as well, but it was ultimately decided that the character should get its own film.
FYI – “Shazam!” was a box-office success and a sequel is currently in the works.
Black Adam will be released on December 22, 2021. Production begins in July.
The theatrical release for the “Fighting with My Family” movie has been pushed back to Thursday, February 21 from the previously announced date of Friday, February 8. The movie will premiere in New York and Los Angeles on Thursday, February 14.
The movie focuses on WWE SmackDown General Manager Paige and her family of pro wrestlers, inspired by a British documentary that was released a few years back. The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions and WWE Studios are among the companies releasing the movie.
Rock makes a cameo in the movie. Paige is played by actress Florence Pugh with Tessa Blanchard serving as her stunt double. Zelina Vega stars as AJ Lee while Paige’s parents are played by Nick Frost and Lena Headey. The film also features Paige’s brothers participating in WWE tryouts.
As seen below, The Rock has released a new poster for the movie while MGM Studios has released two new stills:
New poster for our lil’ crazy comedy based on the true story of @WWE’s @RealPaigeWWE & her wrestling family. Honor for me to play a small part in Paige’s career defining moment, as well as bringing her family’s story to the big screen. #FightingWithMyFamily@SevenBucksProdpic.twitter.com/CHsA6MwM1U
The first trailer for “Fighting With My Family” has dropped and the upcoming movie about Paige’s family produced by The Rock shows a lot of “The People’s Champ” in the footage.
“In 2012 I watched a documentary about a young, unknown British female pro wrestler & her wonderfully crazy family,” The Rock wrote on Twitter while revealing the trailer. “I loved it! It was a story that my [Seven Bucks Productions] had to tell. That girl [Paige] would go on to help redefine [WWE] women’s wrestling.”
As we previously reported, Zelina Vega is playing the part of AJ Lee in the film and can be seen for a brief moment in the footage. There’s also a shot of NXT UK wrestler Dave Mastiff.
The film — which is set to be released in February 2019 — also stars Nick Frost as Paige’s dad, Lena Headey as her mom and Vince Vaughn as Hutch (a WWE talent scout).
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