Martin Scorsese and Dwayne Johnson Unite for Groundbreaking Crime Drama in 1960s Hawaii |

Disney’s 20th Century Studios acquired a sizzling new project by the mastermind Martin Scorsese, which boasts an A-list cast featuring Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emily Blunt. The as-yet-untitled crime drama against the green-hued landscape of Hawaii in the 1960s and 1970s will supposedly take on a peculiar story in the gangster category, one where it tells of the establishment of organized crime in a surprise haven.
The movie is inspired by the infamous Wilford ‘Nappy’ Pulawa, the leader of ‘The Company,’ Hawaii’s most influential organized crime syndicate of that time. Pulawa’s empire was known for its role in underground gaming, human smuggling, and labor extortion. His reign was filled with violence and intimidation, and he eventually was convicted of tax evasion and murder charges. The movie will portray Johnson’s character as a charming mob boss who ferociously fights against other gangs and corporate entities while struggling to preserve his ancestral home from outside exploitation.
A mix of Goodfellas and The Departed, the film is a departure for Scorsese as he enters the Hawaiian underworld—a previously uncharted world in cinema. The script is written by reporter Nick Bilton, who has co-authored a book on the topic with Johnson. Bilton’s story attempts to cover the chaotic time when local crime syndicates fought mainland corporations and military units for domination of Hawaii’s profitable underbelly.
Emily Blunt deserves credit for first introducing this idea to Johnson, which eventually led them to work with Scorsese. The movie not only highlights Johnson’s performing skills but also his strong connection with Hawaii, making him an ideal fit for this position. In his own words, “This story is personal to me,” reflecting his willingness to portray the cultural complexity of the islands realistically.