Martin Scorsese secures distributor for Hawaiian mob boss movie with Dwayne Johnson following bidding war
Following a hotly-contested bidding war, the distribution rights for Martin Scorsese‘s new Hawaiian mob boss movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson looks to have been won by Disney.
The official synopsis for the upcoming film reads: “In 1960s and ’70s Hawaii, a formidable and charismatic mob boss rises to build the islands’ most powerful criminal empire, waging a brutal war against mainland corporations and rival syndicates while fighting to preserve his ancestral land.”
It continues: “Based on the untold true story of a man who fought to preserve his homeland through a ruthless quest for absolute power — igniting the last great American mob saga, where the war for cultural survival takes place in the unlikeliest of places: paradise.”
According to Deadline, Disney plans to release the film, which is currently untitled, under their 20th Century banner, which is also the distributor for the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White.
Scorsese’s upcoming feature stars Johnson in the leading role, with his character reportedly based on Wilford ‘Nappy’ Pulawa, who ruled the crime world of the Hawaiian islands during the 1970s. It was Johnson that brought the story to Scorsese with Emily Blunt who is also set to feature in the movie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Earlier this month, Johnson confirmed his involvement in the movie. He wrote on X: “Grateful for what’s been the most creatively inspiring time of my career – working closely with my friends and of course, the maestro Marty Scorsese. Much more to come.”
‘The Rock’ continued: “In the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s the mafia controlled New York, Miami, Chicago, Vegas, and a particularly strong hold on the island I was raised – Hawaii. Much more to come.”
While the film has successfully sought a distributor with Disney close to securing a deal, there is still no word on when production is set to begin or a tentative release date.
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