Dwayne Johnson Cast in New Movie PROTECTION

Dwayne Johnson will fill the lead role in Simon West’s new action movie “Protection”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnson, a former WWE wrestling superstar, left the sport to focus on acting. He’s most recently been seen in “The Tooth Fairy” and “Race to Witch Mountain”.

West directed “Con Air” and “When a Stranger Calls”. “Protection” is about a disgraced soldier (Johnson) who must smuggle a judge’s 21-year-old daughter across the U.S.-Mexico border while being chased by corrupt cops and drug lords.

Johnson’s role was originally rumored to have been filled by Paul Walker (“The Fast and the Furious”), and then Clive Owen (“Children of Men”). “Protection” will begin filming this fall in New Mexico, and reportedly has a $35 million budget.