The Rock may soon be bringing another project to television.
Variety reported on Friday that Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, along with Will Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions, is developing a professional wrestling-based sitcom pilot for Fox. The series is based on Johnson and former Raw head writer Brian Gewirtz’s relationship and their experience in the industry.
After leaving WWE, Gewirtz joined Seven Bucks Productions as a creative consultant in 2013. He was later promoted to the company’s Senior Vice President of Development.
“This November will mark the 20th anniversary of my professional wrestling debut,” Johnson told Variety. “I was 24 years old, putting in the hard work, making $40 bucks per match and had no clue of the long journey that lay ahead of me with characters and backstage stories so colorful you’d think there’s no way that can be true. The entertaining show that goes on in front of the crowd pales in comparison to the insanely entertaining show that goes on backstage. Brian and myself can’t wait to tell our stories.”
Variety notes that the series focuses on a charismatic young wrestler and an awkward comedy writer new to pro wrestling. Both Johnson and Gewirtz are listed as executive producers for the project.
“Coming from Hollywood to the wrestling industry, with its intense backstage atmosphere and larger than life personalities, was a major culture shock.” Gewirtz said. “After working in the business for over 15 years, Dwayne and I had encounters and experiences that were unbelievable as well as unforgettable. We can’t wait to bring this project to the fans.”
The series is set to be a single-camera hour-long comedy, and Ferrell and creative partner Adam McKay are among those attached to the project as executive producers. It has received a put pilot commitment from Fox, but it remains to be seen whether the series will ever each air.