Looks like the casting gods may be smiling down at the
Ballers and
Insecure alike, because Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Issa Rae are teaming up for a brand new HBO show. It’s definitive proof that sometimes we do get nice things, if nice things come in the form of a show that revolves around wrestling brought to life by two super-talented powerhouses, that is.Make that backyard wrestling promotion, to be exact.
Variety announced the news, revealing that Rae and the
world’s highest paid actor are attached to bring the story of a character named Cassius Jones, a young dock worker and struggling pro-wrestler, to life. When Jones inherits some life insurance money and his grandfather’s house in Houston, he uses the windfall to start up “a hip-hop centric backyard wrestling empire.” Because, everyone needs specific goals. Naturally, the guy has some help from his working-class family and friends, making this an original story that’s ripe for the telling.[video_embed id='1941852'] What We're Watching: Current favourite TV shows[/video_embed]Here’s the catch: it’s unclear whether Rae and Johnson will actually appear on-screen. So far they are both listed as executive producers, but the publication didn’t report any specific casting details. Probably because it’s way too early, and the series—tentatively titled
TRE CNT as in Tre Count since the series takes place in Houston's Third Ward, The Tre—is still in development. It’s a no-brainer that Johnson can get down with the best of them (his own wrestling career adds a high degree of authenticity) but he doesn’t exactly scream amateur. It’s more likely that he would play some sort of a mentor or even a bad guy role, a la
Get Smart. As for Rae? She’s proved she could also play a variety of characters so her contribution in the acting department is anyone’s guess.One thing is for sure, and that’s that HBO wants to be in the Johnson and Rae business. Johnson starred for five seasons on the network’s comedy
Ballers, which ended for good last October. Meanwhile, Rae has earned tons of fans, and critical praise, as the lead and creator on her series
Insecure and she’s also an executive producer on
A Black Lady Sketch Show. Having the two personalities tag team this new project is basically calling in the A-Team.Until productions are back in action and casting details are finalized, Johnson and Rae fans can get their fill of the actors in other ways: the fourth season of
Insecure is currently
streaming on Crave not to mention
all five seasons of Ballers and any of Johnson's many, many action movies, or action-comedies, will likely keep viewers sated until the new HBO series comes our way.[video_embed id='1941621']BEFORE YOU GO: Hugh Jackman reveals origin of Ryan Reynolds feud[/video_embed]
