The 'Fast & Furious 6' actor has signed up to star in and produce the dramatic film, which tells the story of a group of friends who are stranded at sea when their boat capsizes, reported Variety.
Relativity Media will produce and finance the film and Johnson has landed a producer's credit, along with his manager and ex-wife Dany Garcia.
The film is based on former American football player Nick Schuyler's best-selling memoir, which recalls the harrowing ordeal experienced by him and three friends - including NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, as well as his best friend Will Bleakley - when they found themselves struggling to survive in the Gulf of Mexico while on a fishing trip.
Johnson is currently shooting the seventh 'Fast & Furious' film and recently wrapped shooting 'Hercules' for director Brett Ratner.
His upcoming projects include a HBO pilot about athletes in Miami and a new season of his reality TV competition, 'The Hero'.