We've known since April that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson had an unscripted TV project in the works that search for "the next great hero." Now it looks like the series, tentatively titled The Hero has found a home, and a fitting one at that. TNT knows drama, but the cable channel also knows action, so it seems like a good home for a show like this.
Last Spring, we learned that The Rock was teaming up with Ben Silverman's Electus for a competition series called The Hero, which would have ordinary people sent out on a high-stakes global adventure. TNT announced today that they've given the green light to the action-packed competition series, tentatively titled The Hero. The network has ordered eight episodes of the series, which is set to premiere next summer (2013).
The Hero will bring 10 ordinary people together in a house and then assign them various missions that will test their brains, their brawn and even their morality. The show will challenge the competitors to prove they've got what it takes to be heroes, pushing them to the limits to see what they are willing (and able) to overcome, undergo or sacrifice for the sake of their fellow contestants.
Who better to mentor and motivate the contestants than The Rock? In addition to headlining and executive producing the series, Johnson will also be working with the contestants to help them "reach far beyond their personal limits." Social media will be used throughout the show from the very beginning (during pre-production) all the way through to when the series airs, allowing viewers to vote for the contestants they like.
Since his days of professional wrestling fame, The Rock has gone on to develop an acting career, including joining the Fast and Furious franchise in Fast Five. He'll be back in a badge in the followup, Fast Six. Playing the hero is apparently something he occasionally does off-screen too. Earlier this week, he reportedly left the set of Fast Six to stop a bunch of thieves. Maybe he's a method actor. But how will he be as a mentor and a motivator? We'll get to see next summer when TNT airs The Hero.
