Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are set to share the screen after Jungle Cruise, appearing in a movie adaptation of the comic Ball & Chain. The duo ranks among Hollywood’s most well-known actors, with Johnson headlining several big blockbusters such as Hobbs & Shaw and the Jumanji movies. He’s also set to join DC’s Extended Universe as the complex character of Black Adam. As for Blunt, she has a diverse and highly praised filmography. Since breaking out with a scene-stealing supporting role in The Devil Wears Prada, the actress has starred in movies such as A Quiet Place, Edge of Tomorrow, Into the Woods, and Sicario.
Johnson and Blunt are both headlining Jungle Cruise, which is Disney’s upcoming action adventure movie based on the popular theme park attraction. The project has been delayed a few times, recently moving to July 2o21 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the varied titles they’ve both appeared in, and in spite of the fact that they’re both known for playing larger than life protagonists, Johnson and Blunt are both relative newcomers to the comic book adaptations that have dominated the entertainment industry. Johnson’s turn as Black Adam won’t be seen until the end of 2021, while Blunt has turned down opportunities to portray Agent Peggy Carter and Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Now per Deadline, Johnson and Blunt will reunite to star in a movie adaptation of the comic Ball & Chain by Scott Lobdell, Ale Garza and Richard Bennett. The two actors are set to play a bickering couple that receive superpowers, except their abilities can only work if they learn to put aside their differences and operate as a team. Emily V. Gordon, who co-wrote the screenplay of The Big Sick with Kumail Nanjiani, will pen the script. Several studios are interested in the adaptation, and it’s reported that Netflix could be the destination for it.
Ball & Chain, which was released in 1999, has been considered for adaptations before. It was in the works as a TV movie. Ball & Chain was also filmed for a Fox pilot that never aired. Consisting of four parts, the comic focused on a struggling married couple that are about to throw in the towel when a mysterious meteor grants the bickering partners extraordinary abilities. News of the potential project has been good for the 1990s comic, which is currently available for $52 on eBay. According to Bleeding Cool, it had been selling for a dollar or less prior to the story of Johnson and Blunt coming onboard to portray the sparring spouses.
Nothing is official as of yet. But, if the Ball & Chain adaptation does move forward, it’s easy to see that Hollywood might have a new franchise if it proves successful. It could lead to sequels, spin-offs, television anthologies focused on other couples. The tone could also vary. The basic idea seems fairly family-friendly, though the narrative could also be depicted with a bit of an edge. Either way, Johnson and Blunt are great options to carry the project forward.
Source: Deadline, Bleeding Cool