Sony Pictures has acquired the film rights to "Son of Shaolin," a graphic novel of the same name with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson onboard as a producer under his Seven Bucks Production banner.
"Son of Shaolin" will be written by Jay Longino, who was a co-writer of Renny Harlin's Hong Kong-Chinese-American action comedy film, "Skiptrace." The film, which stars Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville, opens in theaters this fall.
Longino will also executive produce the project along with Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, who also financed the production of the graphic novel through his company Strange Turn Entertainment.
While the details of the film's plot have not yet been revealed, sources claim that the film will be based on a contemporary story about kung fu that interconnects Shaolin mythology with the common problems faced by teenagers in a gentrifying community. Sony is allegedly looking to kick-off a global franchise with the project, according to Deadline.
Johnson and his Seven Bucks Productions partners Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia will serve as producers for now but there is a strong possibility that the former WWE superstar, who is currently filming "Fast 8" and has Sony's "Jumanji" reboot and "Rampage," will also be involved in the project as an actor.
Rumors are swirling that Johnson is also being eyed for Universal's upcoming "Wolf Man" reboot.
Meanwhile, Seven Bucks Productions' upcoming roster includes films like "Baywatch," starring Johnson and Zac Efron, Shane Black's "Doc Savage" and a sequel to "San Andreas."
