Dwayne Johnson to Star as Motorcycle Stuntman Battling Dementia in FREE BYRD From SING SING Director Greg Kwedar

Dwayne Johnsonhas signed on for what could end up being one of the most powerful performances of his career.

The actor is set to star in and produce Free Byrd, a new action-drama from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity, and this story sounds like it's going to hit on both an emotional and adrenaline-fueled level.

Johnson will play a legendary Las Vegas motorcycle stuntman who receives a dementia diagnosis and keeps it a secret from everyone around him, including his mechanic brother.

As his condition worsens, he decides to risk everything for one last jaw-dropping stunt, setting the stage for what sounds like an intense and deeply personal story.

The film's official logline says that Free Byrd "examines and confronts the mind's vast mysteries and the beauty and power of asking for help before it's too late."

The movie will be directed by Greg Kwedar, who continues to build an impressive résumé after earning back-to-back Academy Award nominations for Sing Sing and Train Dreams.

Kwedar is also rewriting the screenplay, which was originally written by Jon Boyer and earned a spot on the Black List. An earlier draft came from Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, the filmmakers behind The Peanut Butter Falcon.

Johnson opened up about why this project means so much to him, saying: "Free Byrd is a gift in many ways. Emblematic of life's sacred beauty, as well as life's harsh and callous reality.

“The subject matter of Free Byrd has become deeply personal to Greg Kwedar and myself as we've started to unpack this fateful journey together. Artists Equity have been incredible filmmaking and artistic partners, who not only share Greg's vision for the film, but who are all connected to our story in their own unique and personal ways. When the mind of a loved one begins to slip away, life sure takes on a whole new meaning."

It's great to see Johnson continue chasing projects that push him outside of the larger-than-life action hero mold. Following his acclaimed performance in The Smashing Machine, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination, he seems to be making an effort to take on more dramatic roles alongside the blockbuster films fans expect from him.

Johnson will also be seen in Disney's live-action Moana, followed by Jumanji: Open World and Lizard Music, which is being written and directed by Benny Safdie.

Affleck and Damon also shared their enthusiasm for the project, saying: "This is a project that all of us at the company have connected with personally. Greg is one of the most exciting writer-directors working today, and Dwayne is an extraordinary talent and person.

“We are extremely excited that they have chosen to make this with us and very much look forward to sharing the finished film with audiences."

Everything about this project has my attention. A story centered on an aging stuntman facing dementia already sounds like compelling drama, but putting Johnson in the lead with Kwedar directing makes it even more intriguing.

It's a combination that could deliver something genuinely special, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Free Byrd comes together.

Source: Variety