‘Journey’ comes full circle for Dwayne Johnson

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Dwayne Johnson (right) plays stepfather to Josh Hutcherson in “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”

Updated: March 10, 2012 8:08AM

HONOLULU — In his early days, it was the local cops who wanted a piece of the Rock.

At age 13, he was a total screwup. “I got myself arrested. A lot,” says Dwayne Johnson. “I was really fortunate that I had great parents who were patient and a couple of coaches who believed in my potential.

In “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” (opening Friday), he plays a stepfather who tries to provide that kind of guidance to his stepson (Josh Hutcherson). Parent and teen race around the world to check out a lost piece of waterfront real estate brimming with secrets and amazing creatures.

It’s the loose sequel to 2008’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which starred Brendan Fraser.

“I took a lot of joy creating a character who is a great father figure in a young man’s life,” says Johnson, 39. “The movie is funny and wildly entertaining, but it has a message that you really do need someone in your life to see your potential.”

Johnson also co-produced the film, shot in Hawaii. “Bringing a movie back home to shoot with tens of millions of dollars to spend on this location was very special,” he says.

He stopped by the Honolulu high school where he used to be a screwup.

“I haven’t been there since I was a teenager,” Johnson says. “I wanted to go take a walk on the football field and check out the weight room where I spent so much time and came to understand the value of hard work.

“All the students started buzzing and coming around. I guess I created a bit of a stir.”

What did he tell those kids?

“I told them the weight room still looks like s---,” he says with a laugh. “And then I told everyone to keep chasing their greatness.”

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