After months and years of rumors, it’s official: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is going to play the world’s first superhero: Doc Savage!

As recently as two months ago, director Shane Black indicated that his planned Doc Savage movie was on hold until he could finally line up Johnson for the title role. Earlier this week, Johnson posted a photo of himself with Black and others involved with the Doc Savage movie as he described the reasons that he is excited about this project.

It’s OFFICIAL: For all comic book fans you already know the world’s first superhero (pre-dating Superman) is the “Man of Bronze” himself Clark “Doc” Savage. Want to thank my bud director/writer Shane Black and his writing team Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry for flying in from LA and sitting with me and our @sevenbucksprod’s producer @hhgarcia41 on this Memorial Day weekend to chop up creative and break story on this very cool project. Comic book fans around the world know that the cool thing about “Doc” Savage is that he’s the inspiration for Superman. First name Clark, called “Man of Bronze”, retreats to his “Fortress of Solitude” in the Arctic etc etc. Doc was physically and mentally trained from birth by his father and a team of scientists to become the perfect human specimen with a genius level intellect. His heightened senses are beyond comprehension. He can even identify a women’s perfume from half a mile away. He is literally the master of everything. But here’s the #1 reason I’m excited to become Doc Savage.. HE’S A F**KING HILARIOUS WEIRDO! Confidently, yet innocently he has zero social graces whatsoever due to his upbringing so every interaction he has with someone is direct, odd, often uncomfortable and amazingly hilarious. After speaking for hours w/ Shane Black I can see why the creator of Superman took only the best parts of Doc Savage and leaving the “weirdo” part behind. But to us, it’s that “weirdo” part that makes Clark “Doc” Savage dope! Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one of a kind character. #ItsOfficial #WorldsFirstSuperhero #GeniusIntellect #PhysicalSpecimen #FnLoveableWeirdo #ManOfBronze #DocSavage

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on May 30, 2016 at 5:53am PDT

Johnson isn’t kidding about the influence Doc Savage had on Superman and the other superheroes who followed him. Doc Savage debuted in 1933, a full five years before Superman made his first appearance. The Doc Savage character was created by Lester Dent, Henry W. Ralston, and John L. Nanovic as a hero with nearly superhuman strength and intellect. Doc Savage was also something of Renaissance man who was skilled as a scientist, an inventor, a musician, an explorer, a researcher, a master of disguise, and even as a physician.

While Doc Savage’s popularity peaked decades ago, the character has never completely gone away. Dynamite Entertainment is currently publishing Doc Savage comics, and he lives on in new novels as well. Potentially, the new movie could reinvigorate Doc Savage to some of his former glory. But that’s going to depend on the quality of the film and the audience’s willingness to embrace him. Physically, Johnson can pull off the role and he’s got great action and comedy skills. If anyone one can pull this off, it’s him.

Are you excited about Johnson’s role in Doc Savage? Let us know in the comment section below!

Featured Image: Universal Pictures