Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesSome decisions in Hollywood do make sense: With Brendan Fraser reportedly dropping out of the sequel to the 2008 hit Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D due to scheduling conflicts, Dwayne Johnson has been tapped to topline Journey 2: The Mystery Island with Josh Hutcherson (who returns as explorer Sean Anderson). According to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s closing a deal to play the boyfriend of Anderson’s mother who Anderson is forced to bring along on his search for his missing grandfather. (The script is inspired by Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island.) Why this makes sense: Johnson broke out on the big screen opposite Fraser in The Mummy Returns, and he’s someone younger audiences have been groomed to like (Race to Witch Mountain, The Tooth Fairy, The Game Plan). If Johnson’s going to continue to play for that crowd, I’d rather he do it in something that involves a green screen rather than a tutu. More casting news is expected for the 3-D Journey 2, directed by Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore‘s Brad Peyton, this month. Cameras are expected to roll in late October. Are you psyched for the addition of Johnson, mourning the loss of Fraser, or struggling to remember what the first film was about?
Sep 1
2010
12:17 PM ET
Dwayne Johnson gearing up for 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' sequel
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I have always loved Brendan Frasier. I grew up watching George of the Jungle and loving it. Haters love to hate him. I also love Dwayne Johnson. And Scorpion King is one of my guilty pleasure movies. So yes, I will watch this, even though I didn’t love the first movie.
The original was horrendous. The Rock must have some rent money due or something to feel the need to sign on to this.
I get that it’s never a bad thing to expand your fan base…but I was really hoping that The Rock was starting to completely move away from family movies…at least for a while. (Especially if they’re from the director of “Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore”)
He could be making some really watchable action movies/action comedies instead.
Well it looks like he’s doing both now, alternating between the two, which should be a good thing.
True…switching things up is always a good thing.
My kids and nieces loved the original, their first Neo 3D film. So we were all looking forward to another. Losing Fraser is a real shame, he’s perfect for this kind of thing, but Johnson is a favourite in our house so he’s kind of a perfect replacement.
I hope the sequel is a better film, but just being as much fun as kids found Journey wouldn’t be too bad. There’s a difference between fun but average and awful. For awful see “The Last Airbender” or “Clash of The Titans” 2010. no fun, bad scritps and rubbish, cheap, quickie 3D jobs. Journey was daft, but it didn’t bore the kids to death or ruin one of the best children’s stories of the past 30 years.
What is this guy’s deal? Do an action movie. Do people find it funny having someone like him put in out of place situations. Did we not learn from The Pacifier?
I guess D-Lister, Kathy Griffin was unavailable to do the part so Dwayne took it?
“Journey to the Center of the Earth” IS an action movie.
I know, when referring to the “D-Lister” as this is the acting grade I give Dwayne.
holy cow Johnny quest!!!!
Dwayne Johnson should not be referred by The Rock any longer. That was his wrestling name and if he wanting to be taken seriously as an actor, we need to stop calling him by that stupid name.
He will always be known as a “D” wrestler and a totally “F” actor.
Given Brendan Fraser’s bad movie decisions, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he dropped out of this to film Furry Vengeance 2.
Dwayne will not ever be considered an actor, he is too mediocre, so who cares what he does.
you hush your mouff!!!
The first Journey is not a great movie, but my kids absolutely love it. Like, LOVE it. I will miss Fraser, but I do love me some Dwayne Johnson, so I’m willing to take the kids to this one.
C’mon Rock, shut your mouth and find better roles. We want the want the most electrifying man in sports entertainment not, some jobroni jobbing for kids.
My family and I loved Journey and we will sadly miss Mr. Fraser in Journey 2. Furry Vengeance wasn’t that bad. Ease up people. Mr. Fraser has done a great body of work a over decade or two of which I know many people have enjoyed and is now in rehearsals for a Broadway play of which my family and I have just bought tickets. What you should really be paying a bit more attention to is why Broadway has been quietly grabbing Hollywood actors to the stage. Such as Scarlet Johanson, of which she won a Tony. Catherine Zeta Jones of which she too has won a Tony! I think its because they know a good thing when they have it.
so many haters up there.. again as ive always said… for those who critique an actors abilities to act..
lets see you do a much better job…
I love both actors – but have waited for a 2nd Journey film with Fraser. I am disapointed he will not be in it. I will wait for it to come out on Pay per View to watch it.
I love watching Dwayne Johnson on the screen – he’s definitely easy on the eyes and I like his acting!