Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who starred in the Hawaii-filmed "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," is expected to continue the franchise with Josh Hutcherson aboard in "Journey 3."
The New Line project, for 2014 release, has retained "Journey 2" director Brad Peyton and screenwriters Mark and Brian Gunn, propelled by the sequel’s bright box office performance this year. However, no timeline or location for No. 3 was announced. Since No. 2 was lensed here, the project surely will go elsewhere. …
Local guy Johnson has other projects on his plate, like Michael Bay‘s "Pain and Gain," Brett Ratner‘s "Hercules" and the Russo Brothers‘ "Ciudad," though "David and Goliath" (with Taylor Lautner) is stalled. …
If Hutcherson is indeed reprising his "Journey" role, it would have to be after "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is completed. Buzz has started in Atlanta, where Hutcherson and co-stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Sam Claflin have been sighted. In November the production moves to Oahu for more filming. The "Hunger Games" gang reportedly has reserved a block of rooms at the Turtle Bay Resort, suggesting the North Shore might be where the cameras will be whirring for the second installment. …
DISCUSSIONS: If Madonna can shorten her name to "MDNA," as on her latest CD, why can’t Alex Kawakami of ManoaDNA call himself ALX? He does, and titles his just-released solo EP "ALX," featuring his acoustic guitar with folksy, lite-rock vocals and vibes, minus the usual Hawaiian and pop blends with dad Lloyd and brother Nick. Check "Flyin’ Together" and other excerpts on YouTube. …
Local boy Bruno Mars‘ sophomore album likely will be titled "Free the Universe," with collaboration by DJ-producer Diplo, who’s telling folks that Mars’ next album "is going to be (the) biggest thing on the planet." Or universe, considering Bruno is Mars. …
SHOW BITS: "Na Ali‘i of Comedy," with Augie T, Frank De Lima, Andy Bumatai and Mel Cabang, is back on the road, following up a performance at Dot’s in Wahiawa this past Friday with a show Friday at the Pagoda Hotel and Sept. 21 at Ka‘aha‘aina Café in Waianae. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. …
The Hawaii Theatre’s "Hawaii 9-0" season — the 90th — is under way, and ukulele stylist Jake Shimabukuro provided the wow factor in that First Friday concert atop the theater’s landmark marquee. He shows up again Oct. 16 in "Life on Four Strings," a documentary film, and a Jake Shimabukuro and Friends concert Nov. 24. …
ROAD WARRIORS: Keith and Carmen Haugen gave three performances in Minnesota this weekend, with a fourth slated today for his fellow vets at the Veterans Administration Medical Centerin Minneapolis. At their shows, island aloha prevailed, with lei presentations, lots of Hawaiian music and a touching tribute to the late Mel and Lois Kirkland, former Honolulu residents who left their entire estate to Winona State University for scholarships for aspiring teachers. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
