Dwayne Johnson stars as guru in Breakthrough movie, the upcoming psychological thriller from A24, taking on a supporting role that departs from his traditional action-hero image. The studio, known for unique storytelling, is backing this project set in Southern California, with the script written by Zeke Goodman and production helmed by Johnson’s own Seven Bucks Productions alongside Stacey Sher’s Shiny Penny Productions.
Johnson’s Career Evolves with Complex Roles
Dwayne Johnson, long recognized as a filmmaking powerhouse, began his Hollywood journey through early action-centred projects such as ‘The Mummy Returns’ and later expanded into family-friendly fare with titles like ‘Tooth Fairy.’ As his profile grew, Johnson became a regular box-office draw, leading high-profile franchises and continuous releases. In recent years, Johnson has sought roles that test his versatility, moving beyond the familiar films like ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Jumanji.’
He previously explored more dramatic parts in projects such as ‘Southland Tales’ and is currently embracing a dramatic challenge in the upcoming MMA biopic ‘The Smashing Machine.’ This film, financed by A24 and directed by Benny Safdie, showcases Johnson as legendary fighter Mark Kerr, focusing on themes of addiction, fame, and resilience during Kerr’s era in the UFC. The movie, considered a potential awards contender, is scheduled for release on October 3, 2025.
Following a positive experience working with A24 on ‘The Smashing Machine,’ Johnson is now involved in ‘Breakthrough,’ taking on the unusual task of playing an enigmatic and morally ambiguous motivational guru rather than the lead protagonist.
A Look Into ‘Breakthrough’: Story, Cast, and Creatives
Emerging screenwriter Zeke Goodman brings a fresh narrative with ‘Breakthrough,’ set at the turn of the millennium in Southern California. The story revolves around a young man who becomes entangled with a motivational guru whose captivating charisma cleverly conceals his manipulative—and potentially sinister—methods. Johnson assumes the role of the guru, while the search continues for the film’s lead and other principal cast members.
Goodman’s background spans acting roles in series like ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ ‘Cruel Intentions,’ and ‘The Hunting Party.’ Besides acting, he has also contributed as a director and producer to several short films and is slated to appear in the mystery comedy ‘All That Glisters.’
Financing for ‘Breakthrough’ is led by A24, with production partnerships between Shiny Penny Productions, Seven Bucks Productions founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia, and the support of Stacey Sher.
Johnson Expands His Creative Endeavors
Apart from his film roles, Dwayne Johnson’s influence extends across various sectors, including business ventures in the sports, beverage, and grooming industries. Continuously expanding his production footprint, he remains involved both behind and in front of the camera.
Earlier in the year, Johnson announced his involvement as producer for ‘Ripped,’ an adaptation of Joe Ballarini’s short story, which is in development at 20th Century Studios. He is also attached to a yet-to-be-titled Hawaiian crime film, poised to star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Franchise projects remain on Johnson’s roster as well, with commitments to sequels like ‘Jungle Cruise 2,’ ‘Fast X: Part 2,’ and a live-action adaptation of ‘Moana’ from Disney, where he reprises the role of Maui. Fans can expect to see him in ‘The Smashing Machine’ upon its theatrical release next October.
Timeline for ‘Breakthrough’ Release
Currently, ‘Breakthrough’ is in the early stages of pre-production, with casting underway but no director officially attached. Given Johnson’s busy schedule with multiple simultaneous projects, including his extensive workout routines and ongoing business ventures, the exact release window remains uncertain. A24 has yet to set an official date for the thriller’s premiere, but anticipation is high due to Johnson’s star power and the studio’s reputation for originality.
Dwayne Johnson’s Filmography So Far
As anticipation builds for ‘Breakthrough,’ Johnson’s career as an actor and producer is reflected in an eclectic range of films. Below is a comprehensive list of Dwayne Johnson’s movie credits to date:
1. ‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001)
2. ‘The Scorpion King’ (2002)
3. ‘The Rundown’ (2003)
4. ‘Walking Tall’ (2004)
5. ‘Southland Tales’ (2006)
6. ‘The Game Plan’ (2007)
7. ‘Tooth Fairy’ (2010)
8. ‘Faster’ (2010)
9. ‘Fast Five’ (2011)
10. ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ (2012)
11. ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ (2013)
12. ‘Pain & Gain’ (2013)
13. ‘Fast & Furious 6’ (2013)
14. ‘Hercules’ (2014)
15. ‘San Andreas’ (2015)
16. ‘Central Intelligence’ (2016)
17. ‘Moana’ (2016)
18. ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (2017)
19. ‘Rampage’ (2018)
20. ‘Skyscraper’ (2018)
21. ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ (2019)
22. ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ (2019)
23. ‘Jungle Cruise’ (2021)
24. ‘Red Notice’ (2021)
25. ‘Black Adam’ (2022)
26. ‘Red One’ (2024)
27. ‘Moana 2’ (2024)
28. ‘The Smashing Machine’ (2025)
With a slate of projects spanning diverse genres and collaborations with acclaimed industry figures like Martin Scorsese and Benny Safdie, and a trusted production partnership with Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson continues to redefine what it means to be a multi-faceted star in Hollywood. The announcement of ‘Breakthrough’ only furthers expectations for new dimensions in Johnson’s acting career, while maintaining the buzz around the ever-evolving landscape of A24’s filmography.
