I have to have some respect for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for attempting to put his superstar wrestling history behind him and keeping himself from getting pigeonholed into the likely “action star” title most people expected him to get. At the same time, I’m not sure roles like The Game Plan are much of an improvement, but that’s the direction Johnson is continuing to head. He’ll take his next step on the “family friendly” path when he appears in Disney’s Witch Mountain.
The project itself is either a remake or a continuation of Escape from Witch Mountain and/or Return to Witch Mountain, two 1970s Disney pictures that told the exploits of a brother-sister pair who had magical powers. The latest endeavor, now shortened to just Witch Mountain was announced a few weeks ago and will be directed by Andy Fickman (She’s the Man).
I’m not sure how large Johnson’s part might be. It could be he’s just putting in an appearance to keep himself in tight with Disney (and help out his Game Plan director Fickman) or he could really be heavily involved in this. According to Variety, Johnson is in negotiations to play a Vegas cabbie that picks up the two mysterious kids. How far he goes with them on their journey isn’t disclosed, however.
I loved the original Witch Mountain movies as a child, and I’m kind of interested in seeing what can be done to further the story. At the same time, I’m a little nervous for Johnson’s career. In his attempt to keep from becoming solely the “action hero,” is he pigeonholing himself into another genre?
