The Walking Dead's Jeffrey Dean Morgan Joins The Rock's Rampage Movie

04/05/2017 12:46 pm EDT

The Walking Dead's Jeffrey Dean Morgan is taking a swing at a new role. The actor best known right now for his portrayal of Negan on the AMC zombie series will be joining Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the upcoming Rampage film.

Rampage is scheduled for release on April 20, 2018.

In addition to Johnson, Morgan joins a cast that includes Moonlight's Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman, Joe Manganiello, Jake Lacy, Marley Shelton, PJ Byrne, Jack Quaid, Matt Gerald and Breanne Hill.

Details of the film's story have been kept under wraps thus far but Rampage will adapt the classic 1980's Midway arcade game. The game focuses on three giant monsters wreaking havoc across North America. Johnson plays the hero, who is apparently the only man capable of stopping them.

Morgan's character is named Agent Russell, a man working for a covert government division called OGA and carries himself with "serious swagger and attitude" according to the original report from Deadline.

Rampage brings Johnson back to New Line Cinemas, reuniting him with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn. The trio previously worked together San Andreas and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Flynn is onboard to produce, with John Rickard, Hiram Garcia, and Peyton.

The film is penned by Ryan Engle, with revision from LOST's Carlton Cuse and Colony's Ryan Condal. Adam Sztykiel offered the latest revisions.

Morgan is currently scheduled to begin production on Season 8 of The Walking Dead in late April or early May. Given the show's history of scattering cast members across various episodes with some significant breaks in between, his schedule will allow him to be involved with both productions, possibly indicating a smaller role in the Rampage film.

MORE WALKING DEAD: Why Rick Will Never Bow To Negan Again / When Does TWD Season 8 Premiere? / Finale Ratings Reach Five-Year Low / Why TWD Changed An Iconic Comic Death For Finale / Watch The Talked About Scene From The Finale / Importance Of Daryl's Wooden Figurine Revealed / Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of All Out War

The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer will arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

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