Netflix has secured the rights to an original pitch from writer Tom Wheeler (The Lego Ninjago Movie) currently entitled John Henry and The Statesmen, developed with Hiram Garcia, President of Production at Seven Bucks Productions. The film will be directed by Jake Kasdan and star Dwayne Johnson in a follow up to their incredibly successful Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Johnson will serve as a producer on the film in addition to starring as John Henry and leading an ensemble cast of the most popular figures from folklore and legend from all around the world.
“Netflix is the perfect partner and platform for us to continue entertaining our global audience in a disruptive way. These diverse characters speak to a legacy of storytelling that is more relevant than ever and span across a worldwide audience regardless of age, gender, race or geography,” Johnson said.
Kasdan will also produce alongside Seven Bucks Productions’ Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and longtime collaborator Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. Melvin Mar (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), FPC’s Wendy Jacobson (San Andreas) and Wheeler (Puss in Boots) will executive produce.
Dany Garcia said, “We have been committed to an international storytelling model for more than a decade. Our partnership with Netflix is giving us an incredible opportunity to reach a broad and diverse audience in the most accessible and intimate manner. We are absolutely thrilled with the opportunity.”
“Dwayne is a global superstar, inarguably one of the most popular actors in the world,” added Scott Stuber, head of Netflix’s film group. “He and Jake are a tremendous duo with a proven track record of entertaining audiences worldwide. We’re delighted to be able to partner with them and collaborate with Seven Bucks Productions and FPC. This is a story with universal appeal and we can’t wait to bring these characters to families around the globe.”
Hiram Garcia added, “Developing an expansive universe of characters that present a needle-moving premise while entertaining our domestic and international audiences, is priority for Seven Bucks Productions. Tom’s brilliant concept aligned perfectly with our company’s creative sensibilities. We are ecstatic to develop this shared universe populated by a vast library of American and international folk heroes. The possibilities are limitless.”
Seven Bucks Productions and FlynnPictureCo. most recently wrapped Johnson’s Jungle Cruise for Disney. Johnson and Seven Bucks are currently filming Universal’s Hobbs and Shaw in London. Kasdan is in pre-production on a sequel to Jumanji which Sony will release in December 2019. Wheeler is currently showrunning the Netflix original series Cursed, based on a book he authored, illustrated by Frank Miller.
