Quickly becoming the hardest working guy in Hollywood, actor Dwayne Johnson is adding another project to his to-do list. It was announced today that Johnson has attached himself to lead an adaptation of the best-selling memoir Not Without Hope for Relativity. Written by Nick Schuyler, the book recounts a 2009 fishing trip Schuyler took with four of his friends (including NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith) in the Gulf of Mexico that turned into a disaster when their boat capsized, stranding them at sea. It’s a harrowing account in the vein of Into Thin Air and should make for a nice dramatic vehicle for Johnson, who has recently been busy rejuvenating franchises left and right.
The actor recently wrapped Hercules: The Thracian Wars with director Brett Ratner and is currently reprising his role in Fast & Furious 7. He is also poised to return for G.I. Joe 3 and is attached to lead a number of developing projects including San Andreas, The Fall Guy, Lore, and the supernatural actioner Seal Team 666. Read the press release after the jump.
Here's the press release:
(Beverly Hills, Calif.) November 12, 2013 – Relativity announced today that it has acquired the worldwide rights to finance, produce and distribute the currently titled Not Without Hope, based on Nick Schuyler’s New York Times best-selling memoir about four friends embarking on a deep-sea fishing trip gone awry. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Fast & Furious 6, Pain and Gain) is attached to star as Nick Schuyler.
Robbie Brenner, President of Production for Relativity, commented: “Nick Schuyler’s book is extremely moving, and Relativity is proud to work with The Rock, Nick and the entire team on creating a movie that honors this powerful story.”
Based on the New York Times best-selling memoir, Not Without Hope is a gripping true story of four friends whose fishing adventure 70 miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico would become a nightmare beyond all imagination. On a brisk February morning, Nick Schuyler embarked from Clearwater, FL on a deep-sea fishing trip with three friends: NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, and Nick’s best friend, Will Bleakley, a former University of South Florida football player, until the foursome made a tragic decision that caused the 21 foot vessel to capsize. The days that followed would find the four friends in the middle of a storm clinging to the overturned boat - facing hypothermia, hunger, and dehydration in a grueling fight to survive. Not Without Hope is a harrowing, yet inspiring tale of courage, sacrifice, and friendship.
Nick Schuyler, a former football player himself who is a personal trainer and resides in the Tampa Bay area, added: “I’m humbled that Relativity was interested in paying tribute to Marquis, Corey and Will, and I was impressed with their vision for the film and how they wanted to honor how these guys lived, loved their families, friends and teammates.”
Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh will produce the film, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, Relativity President Tucker Tooley, Rick French, Chairman & CEO of Raleigh based French/West/Vaughan, executive producing. Hiram Garcia serves as co-executive producer. Brett Dahl, Relativity’s Vice President of Production, is overseeing the project for the studio.