Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart Reunite to Save the World in ‘Central Intelligence’

Sandra Miska

The unlikely duo of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart team up in “Central Intelligence,” a buddy comedy that promises to be equal parts laughs and action. Johnson, the former wrestler superstar who also goes by The Rock, plays Bob Stone who was bullied as a teen due to his weight. One of the few people who showed him kindness was the most popular guy in school, Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart). Despite his short stature, Calvin was also a star athlete.

Twenty years later, Bob has managed to completely transform himself into a lean, muscular CIA agent; his secret being six hours of exercise a day, every day, for the past two decades. Back in his hometown for a high school reunion, he runs into Calvin, now an accountant. Calvin reluctantly agrees to help his old friend with a top-secret project. Apparently, Bob is out to save the world and needs Calvin to help with the math involved.

Much of the humor in “Central Intelligence” is sure to come from the height difference between its two leads – Johnson is 6’5” and Hart is 5’4.” This disparity in heights caused some framing issues that director Rawson Marshall Thurber had to deal with. Thurber explained to Cinema Blend that despite the obvious differences, Johnson and Hart are very similar.

“They’re both incredibly driven, they’re very smart, they’re very generous and they take the work seriously, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re cut from the same cloth and that lent itself to a real ease on set. They had instant chemistry, which is a great thing for a director.”

Thurber previously helmed “Easy A” and “We’re the Millers.” Aaron Paul, Amy Ryan and Danielle Nicolet co-star in “Central Intelligence.” Ike Barinholtz from “MADtv” and “The Mindy Project” co-wrote the screenplay.

“Central Intelligence” opens June 17 nationwide.