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Dwayne Johnson Stars, Produces ‘Free Byrd’ Stuntman Drama

7/8/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Dwayne Johnson Stars

Dwayne Johnson stars in and produces “Free Byrd.”
Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company, is producing “Free Byrd.”
Greg Kwedar, Oscar-nominated for “Sing Sing” and “Train Dreams,” will direct.
Johnson plays a Las Vegas stuntman who hides dementia while attempting a jump, a story that probes mind’s mysteries and power of asking for help.
Free Byrd has no release date while Johnson’s live-action “Moana” opens July 10, 2026.

Summary

Dwayne Johnson Advocates

Free Byrd places dementia at its core, using a stunt-jump plot to expose hidden struggles.
Greg Kwedar and Dwayne Johnson say the film responds personally to family members with cognitive decline.
Producers stress an ‘ask for help before it’s too late’ theme to spur early-diagnosis dialogue.
Artists Equity’s CEO Matt Damon, Chief Content Officer Ben Affleck, and Academy Award-nominee Gil Netter say the film is personal and produce it.

History

Historical Context

Early 1990s advocacy set a precedent for today’s dementia-focused media. In 1992, Walter Dawson became the Alzheimer’s Association’s national spokesperson, testifying before Congress and meeting President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore. That momentum helped raise awareness of the roughly 5.5 million Americans then living with Alzheimer’s, a backdrop echoed in Dwayne Johnson’s new film “Free Byrd.”

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Dwayne Johnson Stars

Dwayne Johnson stars in and produces “Free Byrd.”
Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company, is producing “Free Byrd.”
Greg Kwedar, Oscar-nominated for “Sing Sing” and “Train Dreams,” will direct.
Johnson plays a Las Vegas stuntman who hides dementia while attempting a jump, a story that probes mind’s mysteries and power of asking for help.
Free Byrd has no release date while Johnson’s live-action “Moana” opens July 10, 2026.

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