Dwayne Johnson sought a change.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a global superstar known for his professional wrestling career and high-grossing films (which have collectively earned over $12.5 billion worldwide), is taking on a significantly different type of project. His upcoming movie is a more intimate portrayal, one particularly relevant to mixed martial arts enthusiasts.
Scheduled for release in October, the film titled The Smashing Machine delves into the life of two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion Mark Kerr. Directed by the acclaimed Benny Safdie and produced by the independent studio A24 (known for critical successes like the 2022 Academy Award winner Everything Everywhere All at Once and many other acclaimed films), this project represents a major departure for Johnson. He recently shared on Pat McAfee`s show that this very difference was what attracted him.
Johnson explained he had been seeking a challenging role for years. While he enjoys making large-scale blockbuster movies, acknowledging they are fun but demanding and hopefully enjoyed globally, he felt a desire for something more. He wanted a creative challenge and the opportunity to fully immerse himself in a part that would test him in unprecedented ways.
He also admitted to wanting to feel a sense of nervousness, a `buzzed` feeling that comes from facing the unknown – “How am I going to do this? I don`t know how to do this?” He stated this feeling specifically arose with The Smashing Machine, working with Benny Safdie, A24, and Emily Blunt.
The film is based on the documentary The Smashing Machine, which details Kerr`s rise in the MMA world, his subsequent fall, and his battle with addiction. The cast includes several notable figures from combat sports, such as former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader portraying UFC Hall of Famer and Kerr`s friend Mark Coleman, heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk playing Russian fighter Igor Vovchanchyn, Satoshi Ishii as Enson Inoue, James Moontasri as Akira Shoji, Andre Tricoteux as Paul Varelans, and former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten appearing as himself.
