Scorpion King to Hawaiian King?

The Associated Press reported today that 'The Rock' — the wrestling and movie star Hawaii claims as one of its own — is hoping to play King Kamehameha in a motion picture based on his life. Believe it or not, 'The Rock' reports that Sony has already purchased the rights to the story. (Makes me wonder who owned it.)

I guess Dwayne Johnson picked up on something while attending Washington Intermediate and McKinley High School. But something tells me the movie will be less "Birth of a Kingdom" and more "Pali Smackdown!"

Someone's sensing that Hawaii's hip again, that's for sure. I wonder how far Hawaii will get in Hollywood this time around?

I've always thought it's a pity no one's really yet seized on the 1893 overthrow as the basis for a 'based on a true story' dramatic blockbuster. But I guess that wouldn't go over well in the current political climate, anyway (and I'd rather 'The Rock' stick with cracking heads).

Comments

I'm... not sure.

I agree that Dwayne should just stick to cracking heads (that is, when I'm not asking him to massage coconut-scented body lotion all over my... um, sorry about that). Truth be told, I'm a little skeptical whenever somebody announces a Big Project the way that he did when he was here - hey, more power to him if it does get made, but I'd rather have the official studio press release myself, thank you very much.

And it's not like every movie that people say they're going to make will ever go into development right away. Look at that Hawaii 5-0 project; apparently somebody dropped the ball and DreamWorks lost the bid.

Hmmm...

And from what I remember of Hawaiian weapons, it's going to be bloody.

Yes, I'm still alive.

Back then, did the Hawaiians shave their armpits?

Hell, Aaron, if you're gonna go there, what about their chests? ;)

Weren't most of the women naked as well?

Is it getting warm in here?

Anyway. More details are out today, including confirmation by a "studio source" at Columbia Pictures (the movie arm of Sony).

One unattributed sentiment: "Columbia hopes the Kamehameha movie will be similar to 1995's Oscar-winning Braveheart, which starred Mel Gibson as the 13th century Scotsman William Wallace who united his countrymen in their quest to overthrow British rule."

Braveheart was considerably deeper and more dramatic than Scorpion King. The question is, is this good news or not? A movie based on Kamehameha that's as well done as Braveheart was would be wonderful. But I don't know if Columbia and The Rock can do it.

A bit of a belated reaction: Leave it to the guys to go right for the hope of fortuitous nudity. I suppose the entire project is just a front to get more naked women on the big screen . . . you know, for authenticity?

Seems to me the naked women were an afterthought. More noteworthy to me was that it was the shaven pits and chests of the men (or at least Dwayne) that warranted comment. Hmm.

Also, the latest Honolulu Advertiser features an interview with the screenwriter reportedly enlisted to write the script.

A little more background, including more somewhat reassuring references to Braveheart as well as Rosewood (a historical piece that the screenwriter also wrote). I don't know if Dwayne can do drama like Mel Gibson or Kevin Costner, though. I guess we'll see!

I am thrilled that Hawai'i's great history is getting the attention it deserves. Good luck to Columbia with being accurate. Imua!

I wonder how the Hawaiian's feel about a non-Hawaiian playing the role of the "King." And While we're thinking about it... How do they feel about Hollywood even creating a movie about their Alii (Royalty).

I'm so glad that the Hawaiians are finally getting reconized I hope that columbia pictures do a good job on the movie specially if it is about Kamehameha the great. Aloha

I'm very proud of Sony, Columbia pictures, dirctors and Dwayne Johnson "The Rock" to portray one of hawaii's passionate and powerful King Kamehameha. My only comment is that they stay true to the events from begining to end. That he was not only a warrior who brought the Hawaiian people togther to recognize that fighting amoung themselves would not resolve anything...but the fierce and noble warrior had special powers to for see the future of the hawaiian islands-which would include the western civilzation, christianity movement, commercial commerce, military and the anexation of the hawaiian monarchy and over throw of Queen Lilu'oklani..he saw the future of hawaii and prepared the hawaiian people which not only made him king, but he was a prophecy with depth of a special gift. He could lift huge bolders the size of a ford explore to save a village and craft many fierce weapons. The romance with future Queen Kaahumanu and the battles that took place on Maui's-Iao valley and Oahu's Pali look out will be on grand cinematic proportions. From what facts that I have learned. The production are already in process and that the film will begin its shoot at the begining of June 2003 over on the east side of Oahu. The cast are set and there will be hundreds of extra's on set. Its director produced 'Fast and the Furious and screen writer is originally from Hawaii- born and raised on maui. Finally, a story about a powerful man and a nation beyond its time, a movie set in the past that has so much range to it, possibly modern movies today, could be at a screetching hult such as-Matrix, Hulk, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Xmen fandango gener'. Do not get me wrong, these movies are awesome and are fiction. But King Kamehameha...really happened.

Wow! King Kamehameha the Great a movie. Sounds Fantastic! Wasn't his birth a prohecy on a stormy night and on Haley's comet? And how he fought and made peace with hawaiian warriors and british sailors? And his favorite Regal wife, Queen Ka'ahumanu was a surfer chick in her time? Oh! and from what I rembered, the orginal statue of the King was from Italy and sank in a ship wreck and salvaged mysteriously-then brought back to his birthland? Sounds like a terrific non-fictional movie! As long as they don't include those hawaiian leprechans-the menehunes...it may seemingly be too over board and look like lord of the rings. Just kidding...Leave that to Walt Disney.

Everyone got all that?

Too lazy to read all that text. Is this turning into another Jennifer trash talk?

Smells like. I've just deleted several pages of cut-and-paste spam posted here by assorted members of the Leiataua clan. This thread is pau.

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