Pro wrestling legend/actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and producer/actor Stephen Merchant are teaming together for a new film.
The movie, titled Fighting With My Family, is going to be about the true story of current WWE superstar Paige and her family. The show was inspired by a British documentary about the family performing independent wrestling shows all over England with Paige (real name: Saraya-Jade Bevis) and her brother auditioning for WWE. Saraya was hired and is now with the company. Paige has missed time due to a couple suspensions and undergoing neck surgery.
Merchant, who is most famous for partnering with Ricky Gervais on their various creations, will be behind the scenes writing, directing and producing. Johnson is going to be an executive producer and have a role. Last October, Fox picked up a pro wrestling comedy from Johnson and Will Ferrell about a pro wrestler and a comedian who is writing wrestling shows.
Johnson has been very active in Hollywood. In addition to his latest show and the movie, Johnson has three blockbuster movies coming out this year. In addition, season 3 of Ballers will likely be out sometime this summer.
Johnson mentioned about how the family centered story personally affected him and how it could be a great story for a movie.
“Back in 2012, I was in my hotel room in London and stumbled across a documentary on a local UK channel,” said Johnson. “Not only was I intrigued by this loving and wild family, but I also felt it’s the kind of narrative that would make an amazing movie. The Knights’ journey is a universal one that all families are familiar with. I relate to Saraya (Paige) and her wrestling family on such a personal level and it means so much that I can help tell their story.”
Johnson’s Samoan heritage was his key in the pro wrestling industry. His grandfather was “High Chief” Peter Maivia and his father Rocky Johnson. Johnson is also related with The Wild Samoans, Yokozuna, Rikishi. Roman Reigns, who is currently on WWE Raw, is Johnson’s cousin. So if anyone knows the trials and tribulations of a family in the pro wrestling industry, it would be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
[Deadline]
