Hot & Not in Hollywood

Martin Scorsese, known for chronicling America’s underworld in films like Casino and The Departed, shifts his gaze to the Pacific for a story steeped in sun-soaked grit and ancestral defiance.

Set across Hawaii’s volatile transition from territory to statehood, Scorsese’s Hawaii crime film 2025 follows Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a native-born crime figure whose rise is fueled by island politics, local loyalty, and cultural survivalism.

His empire faces threats from mainland corporations, rival syndicates, and the slow erosion of ancestral land rights.

Building on that cinematic setup, the film’s narrative is rooted in the real-life legacy of Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa, Hawaii’s only known mob boss, whose syndicate, The Company, operated during the islands’ turbulent transition into U.S. statehood. Johnson’s character is inspired by Pulawa’s rise, blending historical grit with emotional depth as he battles not just rival factions, but the creeping influence of mainland developers and military interests.

According to Variety, the screenplay is being penned by journalist Nick Bilton, who’s also co-authoring a companion book with Johnson to explore the cultural and political stakes behind the story. With 20th Century Studios and Disney backing the $200M production, and Scorsese’s signature lens on power and identity, this Hawaiian mob saga is poised to redefine the genre. Paradise becomes battleground, and legacy becomes war cry.

The Cast That Could Break the Box Office

Based on Untold True History

The film draws from the real-life saga of Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa, Hawaii’s only known mob boss, who led a syndicate known as The Company. His rise coincided with Hawaii’s transformation into a U.S. state, and his fight wasn’t just for power; it was for cultural survival.

Johnson is co-authoring a companion book with journalist Nick Bilton, who’s also writing the screenplay. The story will explore themes of Indigenous resistance, corporate colonization, and the blurred lines between justice and empire.

Why This Film Matters Now

This isn’t just Goodfellas in paradise. It’s a radical re-imagining of the mob genre:

• Cultural Sovereignty: The protagonist isn’t just defending turf—he’s defending heritage.

• Environmental Backdrop: Volcanic ridges, palm-lined coastlines, and sacred lands become battlegrounds.

• Modern Relevance: Echoes of land disputes, corporate overreach, and Indigenous activism make this story feel urgent.

Scorsese’s lens will bring nuance to a lesser-known chapter of American crime history, while Johnson’s personal ties to Hawaii add emotional authenticity. This blend of cultural resonance and cinematic pedigree sets the stage for industry momentum that’s already generating awards-season whispers.

Oscar Buzz & Studio Power Moves

With 20th Century Studios backing the $200M production, and Disney’s live-action division overseeing development, this is a prestige play with blockbuster potential. The film joins a slate of high-profile projects aimed at reviving theatrical storytelling.

Critics are already calling it a contender for:

Closing Shot: A Reckoning in Paradise

Think The Departed meets Scarface, but with lava flows, ancestral ghosts, and a protagonist who’s part kingmaker, part cultural warrior. It’s not just a mob movie. It’s a reckoning. Scorsese’s lens will bring nuance to a lesser-known chapter of American crime history, while Johnson’s personal ties to Hawaii add emotional authenticity. That authenticity isn’t just biographical; it’s a lived connection to land, legacy, and displacement that informs every creative decision.

This blend of cultural resonance and cinematic pedigree sets the stage for industry momentum that’s already generating awards-season whispers.

~ * ~ Stay tuned, stay savage, stay sparkly — Holly out. ~ * ~