It was long-rumoured, but now it is official. Dwayne Johnson will play the character of Doc Savage in a forthcoming movie to be directed by The Nice Guys helmer Shane Black. The news was released via Johnson’s Facebook page over the weekend, as you can see below.
The character of Clark ‘Doc’ Savage was created back in 1933, appearing in Doc Savage Magazine #1 (March 1933).
Here’s a description of the character from WikiPedia.
Doc Savage’s real name was Clark Savage, Jr. He was a physician, scientist, adventurer, inventor, explorer, researcher, and, as revealed in The Polar Treasure, a musician. A team of scientists assembled by his father deliberately trained his mind and body to near-superhuman abilities almost from birth, giving him great strength and endurance, a photographic memory, a mastery of the martial arts, and vast knowledge of the sciences. Doc is also a master of disguise and an excellent imitator of voices. “He rights wrongs and punishes evildoers.” Dent described the hero as a mix of Sherlock Holmes’ deductive abilities, Tarzan’s outstanding physical abilities, Craig Kennedy’s scientific education, and Abraham Lincoln’s goodness. Dent described Doc Savage as manifesting “Christliness.” Doc’s character and world-view is displayed in his oath, which goes as follows:
“Let me strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do. Let me do right to all, and wrong no man. ”
By the third story, Doc already has a reputation as a “superman”.
Johnson has a slew of projects on the go. He has just finished up work on the Baywatch movie, and is now hard at work on the eighth Fast and Furious film. He also has Shazam! on his slate, as well as Rampage and a reboot of Jumanji.
