A new career update brings Dwayne Johnson the closest he has ever been to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the actor previously revealed what Marvel role he would love to play. Johnson is one of the most popular movie stars in Hollywood. The Rock has become famous for his work in comedy and action films. A couple of years ago, Johnson made the jump to superhero fare, with the actor playing the lead character in DC’s Black Adam. The project was meant to change the hierarchy of power in the DCEU, which did not happen.

Just as Johnson was joining the DCEU, DC was undergoing major changes. MCU Guardians of the Galaxy franchise director James Gunn and DCEU producer Peter Safran took over as the co-CEOs of the newly founded DC Studios. They decided to end the DCEU, telling Johnson that they had no plans for Black Adam, and reboot the franchise with their new DC Universe. As Johnson’s time at DC has ended, the actor’s career has now taken a turn that could see him star in future MCU movies, and perhaps his dream Marvel role could be how that happens.

Dwayne Johnson Just Signed A First-Look Deal With Marvel’s Parent Company Disney

Marvel Could Be One Of The Rock’s New Franchises

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, which has recently become a new home for Johnson’s production company, making a possible future partnership possible. Variety reported that The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions has signed a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company. That deal will consist of the production company developing movies for theatrical and streaming, with Johnson potentially starring in them. The deal is also not limited to only filmed content, which could possibly lead to Johnson becoming part of Disney’s theme parks through attractions and more.

Johnson’s first-look deal with Disney is said to be multi-year, and allows “Seven Bucks a chance to collaborate across all Disney divisions.” That last part could lead to The Rock making his MCU debut, as Marvel is one of Disney’s most important divisions. Johnson already has a working relationship with Marvel Studios’ parent company, as the actor co-starred in Disney’s Jungle Cruise alongside Emily Blunt, and The Rock will return as Maui later this year when Moana 2 releases in theaters on November 27, 2024 — with a return in the live-action adaptation also in the works.

The Rock Wanted To Play Luke Cage

Johnson’s Dream Marvel Role

Johnson potentially developing movies for Marvel Studios as part of his new Disney deal could involve the MCU return of Luke Cage. The character was played by Mike Colter in The Defenders Saga, with the actor leading two seasons of Netflix’s Luke Cage before the show and the rest of the Marvel series at the streamer were canceled. While Johnson has famously become tied to DC through his recent turn as Black Adam and all the promises to change the DCE that he made, the actor has long had his sights on Luke Cage.

In 2013, there were rumors that Marvel was considering casting Johnson in the MCU. Speaking to Collider, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said, “I mean his name has come up in the past… I would love him to be part of the Marvel universe somewhere, someday.” That led to fans pitching roles The Rock could play in the MCU, and eventually, the actor himself decided to chime in. On Twitter, Johnson thanked Feige for his comments and posted side-by-side images of himself and Luke Cage, campaigning to play the role. With his new Disney deal, that could finally happen.

How Luke Cage Could Return To The MCU

Marvel Is Setting Up The Perfect Story

Charlie Cox as Daredevil and more stars from Netflix’s The Defenders Saga are returning to their roles under Marvel Studios. That seems to mean that if Luke Cage were to come back to the MCU, he would be played by Mike Colter. However, the actor has talked about returning in interviews, and while Colter would not rule out coming back, the actor seems at peace leaving Luke Cage in the past. That could leave the door open for Marvel to recast the character and have Johnson play his dream Marvel role as part of the star’s new Disney deal.

Marvel could even continue with the threads set up at the end of Luke Cage season 2. In the show, the character becomes the new crime boss of Harlem in order to keep the neighborhood under control. With Daredevil: Born Again set to have Kingpin become New York City’s Mayor, the show’s second season and movies like Spider-Man 4 could potentially include Luke Cage, as his new role would put him into contact with Wilson Fisk, for good or bad. Dwayne Johnson could then have a multi-project role in the MCU as Luke Cage.