Well this is certainly a different role for him.

The Rock, otherwise known as Dwayne Johnson, is preparing to produce and star in biopic of black country music star Charley Pride, reports Variety.

The former wrestler will produce alongside Dany Garcia, Idol judge Randy Jackson and Pride’s manager John Daines. The film is in association with Sony ATV Music Publishing.

Pride is a Country Music Hall of Famer, has charted more than three dozen No. 1 singles, and has sold more than 70 million records.

The Rock is currently starring in Universal’s “Fast Five,” which opens this weekend, and is starring in New Line’s “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He hasn’t ever really done a serious, dramatic role, so this will be a first for him.

I’m a little skeptical about this. I’ve never seen him in this kind of role, so I can’t judge if he will be able to pull it off or not. This kind of role can either be a career-changer or career-ender, so let’s hope its the first. Prove us wrong, Rock.

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The Disney family film, Race to Witch Mountain, won the weekend box office in fine fashion, grossing $25 million, according to Sunday’s estimates from Media by Numbers.  According to ew.com, that is the second-best opening ever for a movie fronted by Dwayne Johnson alone, trailing only the first feature that starred the former “Rock”, The Scorpion King, which banked $26.1 million in its 2002 debut.

Race to Witch Mountain’s profit was in line with expectations and garnered a decent CinemaScore grade of B+ from an audience that was 60 per cent female.  It is estimated to stay strong at the box office, at least, until Monsters vs. Aliens opens in two weeks.

The competition, Watchmen, dropped to No. 2, and decreased a substantial 67 per cent from its big opening last week to gross $18.1 million.  Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Alan Moore’s landmark superhero saga is clearly slowing down, although it has grossed $86 million in 10 days.  

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After 11 years of marriage, The Rock’s divorce from Dany Johnson became finalized May 19, according to a detailed settlement agreement filed in Miami-Dade County.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his ex-wife announced their separation last June. The couple have a 7-year-old daughter together, and will share physical and legal custody. The Rock will give $22,454 per month in child support and both parents will each make a monthly contribution of $5,000 toward their daughter’s private-school tuition, health care and any future college expenses.

The pair waived their rights to alimony and will allow their child to spend as much phone time as she wants with either parent.

“Each of the parties shall exercise, in the utmost of good faith, his and her best efforts at all times to encourage and foster the maximum relations of love and affection between the minor child and her mother and father,” state court documents.

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s new movie The Game Plan beat out terrorism thriller The Kingdom for the top spot at the North American box office this weekend.

The wrestler-turned-actor’s Disney family comedy took in $22.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Kingdom, starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, debuted in second place with $17.7 million.

In third place was last weekend’s box office winner Resident Evil: Extinction, which took in $8 million for the weekend.

Rounding out the top five were the romantic-comedy Good Luck Chuck and the western 3:10 to Yuma with $6.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

Two films opening in limited release had strong box-office performances. The Darjeeling Limited premiered last Friday at the New York Film Festival and proceeded to take in $140,000 at two New York City theatres on Saturday and Sunday. Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution debuted at one N.Y.C. theatre with $61,688.

Both movies will see a wider theatrical release on Friday.

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Action man DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK’ JOHNSON has lavished praise on today’s movie tough guys, insisting they have “more physicality” than their predecessors ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, SYLVESTER STALLONE and BRUCE WILLIS.

The former wrestler believes this generation’s action stars have what it takes because they come from a fighting background.

He says, “I think today’s tough guys have a bit more physicality to them. I’m friends with Arnold, Stallone and Bruce Willis.

“But, for example, JASON STATHAM, who I love by the way, knows martial arts. There’s no faking what he’s doing. I was lucky to come from a fighting background.”

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Walt Disney Pictures’ new film “The Game Plan” has been put on hold after its star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson suffered a leg injury on Monday.

Johnson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a football practice in preparation for his role in the family football comedy, reports Reuters. Shooting was set to commence on June 26.

He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday in Miami. With recovery and rehab time, however, it may be months before The Rock can resume his role.

“While this is a setback for our production schedule, we completely support him as he recuperates and look forward to resuming production when Dwayne is fully recovered,” said a statement from Walt Disney Motion Picture Group president Nina Jacobson.

The movie follows a professional football player on his journey to becoming a father after discovering he has a daughter.

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