Crown Acquires True Crime Book By Dwayne Johnson
The well-known actor will co-author the work with investigative journalist Nick Bilton.
Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was born in California, but spent his formative childhood and teenage years in Hawaii. Now the former wrestling star, who also has a degree in criminology, is partnering with award-winning investigative journalist Nick Bilton to co-write a true-crime book about organized crime in Hawaii. More specifically, about the notorious crime syndicate known as “The Company.” The title and publication date of the book are not yet known, but Crown, a Penguin Random House U.S. imprint, has already secured the publication rights in advance.
The book will tell the extraordinary story of the rise and fall of Hawaii’s most notorious crime syndicate, “The Company,” led by Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa—the first and only Hawaiian mob boss in history. Pulawa, who emerged from crushing poverty, watched as his people’s land, culture, and heritage were systematically taken and exploited by outsiders, from American corporations to powerful Asian crime syndicates. Driven by a profound determination to reclaim control and preserve his Hawaiian identity, Pulawa built an unprecedented criminal empire. Known for his signature aloha shirts and fresh orchid leis, he resorted to unmatched levels of violence.
Johnson’s Polynesian roots, having spent his formative years in Hawaii, and family ties make the story of Nappy and his associates deeply personal, and the book aims to shed light not only on this chapter of American history, but on Hawaii’s systematic theft by outsiders through the lens of this unique era. While a propulsive narrative, the book is also an extraordinary work of investigative reporting. According to the publisher, Johnson and Bilton pieced together the story from millions of words of research—including tens of thousands of pages of court transcripts and federal investigation files never before seen by the public—along with dozens of exclusive and personal one-on-one interviews with those who lived through this hidden chapter of American history.
Crown further reported that the book will serve as the inspiration for a forthcoming Martin Scorsese-directed film, set to star Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt, with the screenplay written by Bilton. The project was born from the close, ‘ohana-like bond between Blunt and Johnson, with the original idea sparked by Blunt. From there, Johnson and Bilton expanded the concept into a sweeping narrative and investigative book, uncovering the hidden history behind one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in American history.
“I’m honored to co-write this book and tell this story alongside Nick, with the incredible support of our partners at Crown,” commented Dwayne Johnson. “This isn’t just a gangster story — it’s about power, identity, and what was taken from the Hawaiian people,” said Dwayne Johnson. “What drew me to this project wasn’t just the action and the intensity — for me, this story hits close to home. It’s not just history, it’s personal. My own family lived through parts of this era, and I’ve seen firsthand the complicated legacy it left behind. Telling this story is a way to honor our Polynesian culture, and honor where we come from and share the untold history of what really happened in paradise.”
His co-author Nick Bilton added: “This is an astonishing story filled with jaw-dropping twists, devastating cultural stakes, and the kind of unforgettable characters that writers dream about but rarely find outside the pages of fiction. It’s exactly the type of true story that draws me in most — one where you can’t easily separate heroes from villains, and every character forces you to reconsider what you thought you knew about right and wrong” said Nick Bilton.
Gillian Blake, Executive Vice President, Publisher and Editor in Chief at Crown, who will edit the book herself, said: “How often these days do we come across an epic and untold American story? This is one of those rare moments, and what makes this book even more special is the talent involved: Dwayne Johnson, with his unique and exciting storytelling ability and intimate roots to Hawaiian culture, and Nick Bilton, one of the best investigative journalists writing today.”
