Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is officially DOC SAVAGE for director Shane Black

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is officially DOC SAVAGE for director Shane Black

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With all the comic book and literary character getting big screen adaptations these days, it’s surprising we still haven’t seen a modern day movie for DOC SAVAGE… well, that’s about to change. After years of false starts, and names like Arnold Schwarzenegger and most recently Chris Hemsworth being mentioned as potential stars, Johnson posted the news on Instagram that he is officially taking the part. Sounding very happy about the deal, he noted ‘For all comic book fans you already know the world’s first superhero (pre-dating Superman) is the “Man of Bronze” himself Clark “Doc” Savage.’

The swashbuckling hero also known as “The Man of Bronze” has appeared in both Marvel and DC Comics in addition to many popular pulp novels and magazines. The original stories had him as a guy traveling the world as a scientist and adventurer, saving folks in trouble. He had no special powers in the traditional superhero sense, but was raised from birth by his father and other scientists to become one of the most perfect human beings in terms of strength, intelligence, and physical abilities. He was depicted with bronze skin and blonde hair, and while Johnson kind of already has the bronze skin part down, not sure how they’ll tackle the hair just yet. Should be cool to see what The Rock can bring to the role, though I’m most curious if they’ll keep the character in the 1930s setting or make it more of a present day setting. DOC SAVAGE was already a movie in 1975 starring Ron Ely, though that incarnation was actually G-rated and really campy in parts. We’re guessing with Shane Black at the helm of the new take, this version will be serious with some dark humor mixed in. Check out Dwayne Johnson’s Instagram post below if you missed it:

It's OFFICIAL: For all comic book fans you already know the world's first superhero (pre-dating Superman) is the "Man of Bronze" himself Clark "Doc" Savage. Want to thank my bud director/writer Shane Black and his writing team Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry for flying in from LA and sitting with me and our @sevenbucksprod's producer @hhgarcia41 on this Memorial Day weekend to chop up creative and break story on this very cool project. Comic book fans around the world know that the cool thing about "Doc" Savage is that he's the inspiration for Superman. First name Clark, called "Man of Bronze", retreats to his "Fortress of Solitude" in the Arctic etc etc. Doc was physically and mentally trained from birth by his father and a team of scientists to become the perfect human specimen with a genius level intellect. His heightened senses are beyond comprehension. He can even identify a women's perfume from half a mile away. He is literally the master of everything. But here's the #1 reason I'm excited to become Doc Savage.. HE'S A F*CKING HILARIOUS WEIRDO! Confidently, yet innocently he has zero social graces whatsoever due to his upbringing so every interaction he has with someone is direct, odd, often uncomfortable and amazingly hilarious. After speaking for hours w/ Shane Black I can see why the creator of Superman took only the best parts of Doc Savage and leaving the "weirdo" part behind. But to us, it's that "weirdo" part that makes Clark "Doc" Savage dope! Can't wait to sink my teeth into this one of a kind character. #ItsOfficial #WorldsFirstSuperhero #GeniusIntellect #PhysicalSpecimen #FnLoveableWeirdo #ManOfBronze #DocSavage

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.