Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping away from the wrestling ring and into the UFC Octagon in The Smashing Machine, a gripping new film where he portrays UFC legend Mark Kerr. Directed and written by Benny Safdie, the movie features a star-studded cast including Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.
Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, is the central figure of the story. His extraordinary life was previously captured in the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. The journey to bring Kerr’s story to the big screen began in 2019 when Johnson’s production company secured the rights to his life. Despite initial setbacks due to the pandemic, the project gained momentum after Emily Blunt, who worked with Johnson on Jungle Cruise (2021), reignited interest while they were filming Oppenheimer (2023).
“Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting,” Johnson sharedy. “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
The trailer for The Smashing Machine delves into Kerr’s UFC triumphs, his painful addiction to painkillers, and the impact his grueling career had on his body and personal life, particularly his relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, played by Blunt. This film also marks a significant milestone for Benny Safdie, as it is the first project he has directed without his brother Josh Safdie.
Scheduled for release on October 3, The Smashing Machine is already generating Oscar buzz for Johnson’s powerful performance, with some speculating it could lead to a potential Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Following this intense role, Johnson is set to star in the live-action adaptation of Moana, where he will reprise his role as Maui from the animated film.
