Dwayne Johnson in final talks for 'Faster'

Joanou to direct film for CBS

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Johnson

CBS Films is in final negotiations with Dwayne Johnson to star in "Faster," an action drama that will be Johnson's next film.

Pic will be helmed by Phil Joanou, who directed Johnson in "Gridiron Gang." Joe and Tony Gayton wrote the script.

While Johnson most recently has toplined family comedy hits, "Faster" puts him back into edgy action territory.

He'll play an ex-con bent on avenging the death of his brother, murdered 10 years earlier when the two were double-crossed during a heist.

The film will be produced by Castle Rock's Martin Shafer and Liz Glotzer, along with Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, who teamed with Johnson on "The Game Plan" and the upcoming "Tooth Fairy." Joe Gayton will also produce.

Lensing is set to begin in August.

Johnson is repped by UTA.