Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is reeling with film and TV projects galore.
Look for Johnson, one of our homegrown stars, to star in New Line’s "San Andreas," a disaster flick. He’ll play a rescue helicopter pilot who makes a valiant effort to save his estranged daughter when a devastating earthquake hits California. The film, directed by Brad Peyton, with whom Johnson worked on "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," is to start production in April for a 2015 release.
The ink is barely dry on his latest project, MGM’s action flick "Seal Team 666," which he’ll also exec-produce. It’s based on a book by Weston Ochse, about a Navy SEALs group battling unknown demons with supernatural powers aiming to destroy the world. The screenplay is by Evan Spiliotopoulos, who wrote Johnson’s upcoming "Hercules" pic for director Brett Ratner, due in July.
Johnson’s also wrapping up work on "Fast & Furious 7," adding his might to the racing franchise.
Johnson is prepping to do a new reality show, tentatively titled "Wake Up Call," for TNT in 2014. This one will explore folks facing everyday challenges, which include dysfunctional households, deadbeat dads and failing sports teams, to help turn around their missteps and negative situations into stories of triumph.
Also on his agenda: an HBO dramedy about retired athletes residing in Miami. This one reunites Johnson with his "Pain and Gain" co-star Mark Wahlberg, who is one of the producers, and writer Stephen Levinson, who scripted "Entourage" and "Boardwalk Empire." Peter Berg will direct the pilot. …
TUBE TALK: Carol Burnett, the legendary TV comedian and singer, has completed a guest appearance on "Hawaii Five-0" which will air as a Thanksgiving special Nov. 22.
Burnett will portray Alex O’Loughlin‘s Steve McGarrett’s Aunt Deb, who sacrificed a career as a singer to raise her niece (Taryn Manning, who returns as Mary Ann) and is tricked into performing a song at a local restaurant. The tune is "I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night" from "Annie Get Your Gun," which Burnett recorded before her visit here last month so the tracks could be incorporated into the filming. But according to CBS, the family reunion goes awry, with Aunt Deb even getting arrested. Gotta tune in to learn how it all plays out. …
Also, Broadway actor Mary Gutzi shot a "Hawaii Five-0" episode last month. She also completed an indie film, "The Fishing Club," with the likes of Keali‘i Reichel and David Kekaula, directed by David Rosen for Shooters Films. …
LIFETIMERS: Nothing like planning ahead — the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts’ 2014 Lifetime Achievement Awards will be bestowed May 3, honoring Gary Aiko, Sam Aiko, ‘Iwalani Kahalewai, Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, Cyril Pahinui and Ben Wood. The newly named Krash Kealoha Award, formerly the Industry Award, will be given to the Polynesian Cultural Center on 50 years of operations. Call 593-9424 for details. …
And the aforementioned Bruddah Iz had a milestone recently: Nov. 1 marked the 20th anniversary of "Facing Future," released Nov. 1, 1993. Yep, "Over the Rainbow" is on the rerelease — part of the pot of gold, now remastered with a new CD cover, and still selling like the proverbial hot cakes. …
GOOD EATS: Raymond Siu, proprietor-chef at Pah Ke’s Chinese Restaurant in Kaneohe, is testing new healthy menu items in anticipation of the holiday crowds. We stopped in for dinner one night, and he introduced us to an orange-spinach salad with citrus vinaigrette dressing — light, bright and zesty, comprising spinach and bean sprouts from the Kaneohe farmers market and Kau oranges from the Big Island.
"I’m trying to support homegrown products," Siu said. He’s also concocting specialty gourmet desserts. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
