Dwayne Johnson, Author: Crown Publishing Nabs True-Life, Hawaii-Set Crime Book Co-Written with Nick Bilton (Exclusive)

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In terms of professions, Dwayne Johnson has amassed quite a few: actor, athlete, businessman, and wrestler. Brace yourselves, as the next chapter in Dwayne Johnson’s career unfolds – he is now venturing into true crime writing.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d excitedly share that I’ve scored an exclusive deal – a real-life crime book collaboration between Johnson and the renowned investigative journalist Nick Bilton! This thrilling tale is set to be published under Crown, a prestigious imprint under Penguin Random House.

This factual account delves into the largely unspoken tale of The Company, a powerful and resilient Hawaiian criminal organization that fought against foreign gangs and corporate intruders in the 1960s and 1970s. It will also shed light on Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa, the one-of-a-kind Hawaiian mafia leader who made history as the first and only mob boss of his kind.

The transaction for the book takes place simultaneously with a movie deal signed a week ago with 20th Century Studios. This deal includes renowned actors such as Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, alongside Johnson and Bilton. The genesis of this project stems from the close, family-like bond between Blunt and Johnson, who collaborated extensively on the movie “Jungle Cruise.” Initially, Blunt’s idea sparked the project. Subsequently, Johnson and Bilton developed this concept into a comprehensive narrative and investigative book, revealing the covert history of one of America’s most formidable criminal organizations.

Exploring Johnson’s Polynesian heritage, his upbringing in Hawaii, and the bond he shares with family members, this storytelling journey is deeply rooted in personal experiences. Johnston and Bilton dived headfirst into uncovering a vast trove of documents such as FBI records and court transcripts, while also seeking out individuals who lived through an overlooked chapter of American criminal history for in-depth interviews. For the pair, this undertaking served as an opportunity to illuminate Hawaii’s past exploitation by outsiders from a distinctive angle, specifically that of this particular era.

Johnson stated that this isn’t merely a tale of gangsters, but rather an exploration of power, identity, and the injustices inflicted upon the Hawaiian people. The allure of the project for him wasn’t solely the action and intensity; it was deeply personal. This story resonates with his own background, as his family experienced parts of this period, and he has witnessed the complex aftermath. By narrating this story, Johnson sees an opportunity to pay tribute to our Polynesian heritage, acknowledge our past, and shed light on the untold truths of what transpired in paradise.

Despite being a notorious criminal kingpin in the islands, Pulawa distinguished himself from typical criminal circles. The book will portray his unwavering dedication to safeguarding his people, who were simultaneously threatened by physical and cultural assaults from Asia and America. He observed as their land, culture, and heritage were methodically stripped and exploited by foreign entities, ranging from American corporations to dominant Asian crime organizations.

With a deep-rooted passion to regain authority and safeguard his Hawaiian heritage, Pulawa constructed an extraordinary criminal network during the late 1960s to the 1970s. He was recognized by his iconic aloha shirts and fragrant orchid leis, but due to the importance of the cause – the preservation of his people – he was willing to employ unprecedented levels of violence. This book delves into Pulawa’s rise to power, mirroring mainland crime figures like Luciano, Capone, and Gotti, until it all came crashing down in a dramatic turn of events.

Bilton, renowned author of ‘Hatching Twitter’ and ‘American Kingpin’, and creator of the Emmy-winning HBO documentary ‘The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley’, described this tale as astonishingly captivating. It’s packed with shocking turns, significant cultural implications, and characters so vivid they seem plucked straight from the pages of a novel. He finds it irresistible because it’s the kind of real-life narrative that he can’t help but be drawn to – one where you can hardly distinguish heroes from villains, and each character challenges your preconceived notions about right and wrong.

Bilton went on to say, “Collaborating with Dwayne, Emily Blunt, and the outstanding Gillian Blake at Crown on this book has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s as if we’ve been unearthing a hidden history that was never intended to be discovered. What we’ve found isn’t just a tale about criminal activity; it delves into themes of power, identity, and the harsh price of survival in the struggle for paradise.

As a gamer, I struck a deal with Jay Mandel, Erin Malone from WME, and Blake, who holds the positions of executive vice president, publisher, and editor-in-chief at Crown. Not only will Blake be part of the team that negotiated this deal, but they’ll also take on the role as the book’s editor. In other words, I’m excited to have them involved in bringing my gaming experiences to life through our upcoming collaboration!

Blake stated confidently, ‘Don’t we seldom encounter an extraordinary, unspoken American tale these days?’ This instance, however, is one of those exceptional cases. What sets this book apart is the remarkable talent behind it: Dwayne Johnson, known for his captivating storytelling style and deep connections to Hawaiian heritage, and Nick Bilton, a renowned investigative journalist.

Blake remarked: “Just like the crown symbolizes ambition and power, this book aims high. It aspires to stand among the legendary organized crime novels such as Mario Puzo’s The Godfather and Nicholas Pileggi’s Wiseguy. Additionally, it sheds light on a historical era when the struggle to preserve Hawaiian culture became lethal.

Known as a prominent figure in narrative non-fiction, Bilton has contributed to renowned publications such as Vanity Fair and The New York Times. His work, “American Kingpin,” was recognized as one of the Best Books of the Year by The Wall Street Journal and Audible. This acclaimed piece served as the foundation for the Netflix documentary, “Biggest Heist Ever,” which was inspired by his “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde” feature in Vanity Fair magazine.

Johnson first entered the world of book publishing in 2000 with his memoir, “The Rock Says…“, which went on to become a top seller at the New York Times. The upcoming crime book, however, will be quite different from this earlier work, as it was written before Johnson became a big name in Hollywood. Next, you can catch him in the A24 drama “The Smashing Machine“, alongside Blunt. This film is written and directed by Benny Safdie.

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2025-04-02 20:55