In a recent interview, country music legend Charley Pride revealed an upcoming movie about his life will star actor Dwayne Johnson in the title role.   But then the ball got fumbled.

New management took over the studio that was ready to begin site work on it,” Charley said recently in a phone interview. “And a decision was made to put all their resources behind thrillers – fast actioners. They felt that was where the big box office money was then.”

As a consequence his film, being readied by director Craig Brewer, was shelved.

“Now it’s back on track again but with action and comedy star Dwayne Johnson portraying me in the title role,” he said. “Terrence, it seems, is tied up on other involvements for a few years.”

“Wow!” I exclaimed. “Johnson. The Rock! He’ll do a way more forceful job playing you! A pro-athletic background like yours and a lot of the same charisma! That’s really exciting!”

“I think so now,” he said. “Terrence is no doubt a more in-depth actor academically, but Dwayne is such a force on screen. It startled me a little at first, but he flew down to Dallas and spent a day with me just sitting, talking recently. And when he left it was like parting with an old friend. We had such similar views on so many things.”