Dwayne Johnson Current Projects The Risk Nobody Sees
Dwayne Johnson's Current Film Projects in 2026
Dwayne Johnson is currently attached to several high-profile film projects, including the live-action Moana remake, the third Jumanji film, and the fact-based MMA drama The Smashing Machine, all of which are slated to majorly shape his box-office presence through 2026 and beyond. These projects anchor what industry analysts are already calling the most concentrated phase of Johnson's career since the early 2010s, blending his established family-friendly franchises with tougher, awards-leaning material.
Major 2026 Theatrical Releases
Johnson's 2026 slate is dominated by two tentpole franchises: Disney's Moana live-action reimagining and the third mainline Jumanji movie, both of which are built to leverage his global brand and past box-office performance. Analysts estimate that Johnson's top-five franchise films (including Jumanji and Jungle Cruise) have collectively generated over $3.2 billion worldwide, creating a strong commercial foundation for his current projects.
- Moana (live-action) - Scheduled for July 10, 2026, this Disney remake will see Johnson fully embody the demigod Maui in live-action, after first voicing the character in the 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel.
- Jumanji 3 (untitled sequel to Jumanji: The Next Level) - Due December 11, 2026, this film will reunite Johnson with Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan for what is planned as the final chapter in the main Jumanji saga.
- The Smashing Machine - A biographical drama about UFC pioneer Mark Kerr, scheduled for late 2025 and widely regarded as Johnson's most serious performance to date, with early Oscar-buzz around his turn as the troubled MMA fighter.
Upcoming Franchise-Driven Roles
Outside of the 2026 pillows, Johnson's current film pipeline includes several franchise-anchored pieces that could lock in his presence for years to come. His dual role as both star and producer on these projects reflects a deliberate shift toward long-term creative control, rather than just one-off pay-checks.
- Fast X: Part 2 / Fast 11 - Johnson is expected to return as Hobbs in the upcoming installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, following his post-credits appearance in Fast X.
- Jungle Cruise 2 - A sequel to the 2021 Disney adventure is in development, with Johnson and Emily Blunt slated to reprise their roles, though the project remains in early stages.
- Red Notice 2 - Netflix's globe-trotting action-comedy franchise is slated for a follow-up, keeping Johnson anchored to the streaming giant alongside longtime collaborators.
Biographical and Prestige Projects
Johnson's current slate also includes a growing roster of biographical and prestige-leaning films designed to round out his reputation beyond pure blockbusters. These projects represent a calculated pivot into more awards-oriented roles, an evolution that has already boosted his overall box-office coefficient with studios seeking both commerce and critical credibility.
Among the most notable is The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, which chronicles the rise and fall of mixed-martial-arts pioneer Mark Kerr and explores themes of addiction, fame, and physical trauma in the early days of UFC-style competition. Early industry chatter suggests that Johnson's performance could be positioned as an Oscar long-shot for Best Actor, which would mark a significant milestone in his arc from wrestling superstar to dramatic lead.
Illustrative Project Table (2025-2027)
The following table summarizes key current and near-term film projects associated with Johnson, highlighting format, release window, and franchise linkage to help contextualize his strategic positioning.
| Project | Format | Expected Release | Franchise Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Smashing Machine | Theatrical feature | 2025 (late) | Original sports drama |
| Moana (live-action) | Theatrical feature | July 10, 2026 | Moana franchise |
| Jumanji 3 | Theatrical feature | December 11, 2026 | Jumanji franchise |
| Fast X: Part 2 / Fast 11 | Theatrical feature | 2026 (undated) | Fast & Furious |
| Jungle Cruise 2 | Theatrical feature | 2026-2027 (TBD) | Jungle Cruise |
| Red Notice 2 | Streaming feature | 2026-2027 (TBD) | Red Notice |
Why This Could Change Everything for Dwayne Johnson
What makes this current wave of film projects potentially transformative is the combination of franchise scale and tonal range. If Moana and Jumanji 3 meet or exceed their projected global hauls-estimated by some models to push Johnson's average per-film revenue toward roughly $180-$220 million by 2027-his leverage in deal-making will rise sharply across studios and streaming platforms.
Simultaneously, the critical reception of The Smashing Machine could redefine how casting directors and awards bodies view Johnson, opening doors to more dramatic, long-form projects that sit outside the usual family-action mold. That dual trajectory-massive franchise commerce on one side, credibility-building biopics on the other-creates a rare cross-platform identity that few contemporary actors have managed to sustain at Johnson's scale.
Expert answers to Dwayne Johnson Current Projects The Risk Nobody Sees queries
What films is Dwayne Johnson working on right now?
Dwayne Johnson is currently working on several high-profile productions, most notably the biographical MMA drama The Smashing Machine, the July 10, 2026 Disney live-action Moana remake, and the third main Jumanji film scheduled for December 11, 2026. He is also in early development or pre-production on sequels such as Jungle Cruise 2 and Fast X: Part 2, as well as the streaming sequel Red Notice 2, which together give him a multi-year pipeline across both theatrical and streaming platforms.
Is Dwayne Johnson still in the Fast & Furious franchise?
Yes, Dwayne Johnson is still attached to the Fast & Furious franchise and is expected to reprise his role as Hobbs in the upcoming installment, often referred to as Fast X: Part 2 or Fast 11. His return was teased in the post-credits scene of Fast X, and industry reports indicate that Hobbs will play a key role in helping Dom's crew confront the villain Dante in the next chapter of the saga.
Will Dwayne Johnson be in the new Jumanji movie?
Dwayne Johnson will appear in the third main Jumanji film, an untitled sequel to Jumanji: The Next Level, which is scheduled for a December 11, 2026 theatrical release. He has confirmed that principal photography for this film will begin in November 2025, teaming once again with Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan to close out the current chapter of the franchise.
Is there a live-action Moana movie with Dwayne Johnson?
Yes, Disney is producing a live-action version of the 2016 animated hit Moana, with Dwayne Johnson set to star as the demigod Maui on July 10, 2026. This marks a literal embodiment of a role he previously voiced, and the production is framed as a way to deepen the Moana franchise with a more grounded, cinematic adaptation of the original story.
What is The Smashing Machine movie about?
The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama that chronicles the life of Mark Kerr, a former wrestler and UFC champion who rose to prominence in the early days of mixed-martial-arts competition before struggling with substance abuse and physical decline. Johnson plays Kerr in what is widely regarded as his most demanding dramatic role to date, with the film being positioned by some outlets as a potential awards-contender due to its raw subject matter and non-CG-heavy performance style.
How many Dwayne Johnson movies are coming out in 2026?
At least three major theatrical releases featuring Dwayne Johnson are currently scheduled for 2026: the live-action Moana on July 10, the third Jumanji film on December 11, and the later-year Fast X: Part 2, whose exact release date is still to be confirmed. [web] In addition, several streaming and sequel projects with his involvement are in active development, which could push the total number of screen projects associated with him in 2026 into the low double digits depending on release-date shifts.
Is Dwayne Johnson expanding into more dramatic roles?
Yes, Dwayne Johnson is increasingly moving into more dramatic and biographical roles, with The Smashing Machine serving as the centerpiece of that shift. At the same time, he continues to anchor major family-oriented franchises like Jumanji and Moana, allowing him to build a portfolio that spans broad-appeal action-comedy and serious character-driven storytelling.
Could Dwayne Johnson's current projects change his career trajectory?
Dwayne Johnson's current slate-that mix of global-scale franchises and high-stakes biopics-positions him for a potential inflection point in his career trajectory. If Moana and Jumanji 3 meet or exceed their box-office expectations and The Smashing Machine earns sustained critical praise, he could emerge not just as the world's most bankable star but also as a leading figure in the awards-oriented drama space, a rare dual status that would reshape his deal leverage and project selection for years to come.