Dwayne Johnson Signs Landmark First Look Deal With Disney

Seven Bucks Productions has worked on TV and film production for 12 years now, mostly making starring vehicles for Dwayne Johnson. The company was co-founded by Johnson and producer Dany Garcia, and the production company has released dozens of movies and shows since 2012. While the company has worked with Disney in the past on projects like Jungle Cruise, it also regularly worked with other studios. 

Now, the film relationship between Dwayne Johnson and Disney will be much closer. The multi-year deal means fans can expect to see The Rock in even more Disney movies and probably fewer movies not produced by the company. Those movies will be in addition to collaborations already in the works, starting with Moana 2, which will come out in November of this year. 

TV vehicles for Dwayne Johnson could also be much more tightly connected with Disney because of the new deal. The wrestler-turned-actor has worked with the company on TV projects before, with Seven Bucks producing Behind the Attraction. While the new deal may be limited to these types of behind-the-scenes style shows, it could also lead to Johnson starring in shows for the company. 

With Disney’s other divisions being included in the deal, it could also be a major boon for theme parks. Dwayne Johnson’s likeness may show up in rides he’s associated with, like Jungle Cruise, and new attractions could be built around his star power. New recordings of the actor could even be used to give attractions a familiar face and voice. 

Another huge division that could utilize this new deal is Disney’s merchandising. Dwayne Johnson is a star, and having the ability to easily negotiate likeness rights could lead to a rush of merchandise featuring the actor and the characters he’s played. Merchandizing is a huge part of the company’s success, and the opportunity to sell The Rock merchandise could be a hugely profitable part of their deal. 

Sports coverage could also be a big part of the deal, as both Dwayne Johnson and Disney are heavily involved in the world of sports. ESPN is partially owned by the entertainment mega-corporation and is heavily involved in live sports and reporting. Johnson’s connections to the WWE and his co-ownership of the UFL, a professional football league, could make him a huge asset for that division. 

The deal between Seven Bucks Productions and Disney closely ties Dwayne Johnson and his various business ventures to the company. As both an actor and a businessman, it’s a major deal that could benefit both parties. It will be interesting to see how this deal pans out, as the far-reaching influence of both parties means the possibilities are seemingly endless.

Source: Variety