Summary
A major Hollywood project is taking shape, with Martin Scorsese set to direct an untitled crime drama starring Dwayne Johnson,Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emily Blunt. The high-profile film, written by Nick Bilton, will bring to life the untold true story of a ruthless Hawaiian crime boss who fought for control of the islands' criminal underworld in the 1960s and 70s.
Described as aGoodfellas-style crime epic set in paradise, the film follows a charismatic yet formidable mob boss who builds Hawaii’s most powerful criminal empire while waging war against mainland corporations and rival syndicates. At its core, the film will explore themes of cultural survival, power, and brutality, as its central figure seeks to preserve his homeland through a relentless pursuit of dominance. The project has drawn comparisons toScorsese’s previous crime classics, includingThe Departed, promising a gritty, high-stakes narrative set against the backdrop of Hawaii’s rich history.
According to Deadline, this film extends the long-running creative partnership between DiCaprio and Scorsese, who most recently collaborated onKillers of the Flower Moon, a Best Picture nominee at the 2024 Academy Awards. Their past work together includesThe Aviator, The Departed, Gangs of New York, andThe Wolf of Wall Street. Meanwhile, Blunt and Johnson, who previously starred together inJungle Cruise, are continuing their professional partnership, having recently wrapped production on Benny Safdie’sThe Smashing Machinefor A24.
Dwayne Johnson Brings His Passion For Hawaii To The Big Screen
The film boasts a powerhouse team of producers, including Martin Scorsese, who hasdirected and produced dozens of movies, Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, Nick Bilton, Dany Garcia, Lisa Frechette, and Rick Yorn. Blunt and Johnson were instrumental in bringing the project to life, pitching the idea to Scorsese and DiCaprio before enlisting Bilton to craft the script. While the film is still in the early development stages, excitement is already building for what promises to be a gripping, visually stunning addition to Scorsese’s legendary crime filmography.
For Johnson, this project is particularly meaningful, as he has deep personal ties to Hawaii. Though born in Hayward, California, Johnson spent part of his childhood in Honolulu, where he was raised in a working-class Samoan family. His late grandfather, Peter Maivia, was a legendary Samoan wrestler, and his father, Rocky Johnson, was a celebrated Canadian professional wrestler. However, Johnson’s connection to Hawaii isn’t just familial, it’s also deeply spiritual and cultural. The actor has long expressed a desire to film a major project in the islands. He previously explored the idea of a biopic about King Kamehameha, the Hawaiian ruler who united the islands through strategic diplomacy and military strength.
One of Johnson’s most notable connections to Hawaiian and Polynesian culture is his role as the voice of Maui in Disney’s 2016 animated blockbusterMoana,and his upcoming role as Maui in thelive-actionMoana.Johnson has said that Maui’s character was inspired by his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, a revered figure in Samoan wrestling and culture. He worked closely with Disney’s creative team to ensure authenticity in the portrayal of Polynesian mythology, often referencing his own cultural experiences and family history.
