Dwayne Johnson was ready for a change of pace in his acting career.
Globally recognized as “The Rock” from his iconic professional wrestling run in WWE, Dwayne Johnson stands as one of the planet`s most famous personalities. Beyond his wrestling legacy, he is a dominant force in Hollywood, with his films accumulating over $12.5 billion worldwide. However, Johnson`s latest cinematic endeavor is on a smaller scale, delving into a subject particularly resonant with mixed martial arts fans.
His upcoming film, titled The Smashing Machine, chronicles the life story of Mark Kerr, a two-time winner of the UFC heavyweight tournament. Directed by the acclaimed Benny Safdie, the movie is being released by the independent film company A24, known for critical successes like the 2022 Academy Award winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. This project represents a significant departure for Johnson. He recently shared on the Pat McAfee show that this willingness to step outside his comfort zone was exactly what attracted him to the role.
Johnson explained his motivation, stating, “For years, I`ve been seeking to embrace a challenge and be inspired by it.” While expressing his enjoyment and the significant effort involved in making major blockbuster films, which hopefully entertain audiences globally, he revealed, “But I wanted more.” He specifically desired “a challenge” and “the opportunity to truly immerse myself, to vanish into a character and a part that would push me in ways I haven`t been pushed before.”
He further elaborated, adding that he was also eager “to feel nervous,” acknowledging how unusual that might sound. He described it as a “buzzy” feeling of uncertainty, questioning, “`How am I going to approach this? I`m not sure how to do this?`” He confirmed that this was precisely the sensation he experienced while working on The Smashing Machine alongside Benny Safdie, A24, and fellow cast member Emily Blunt.
The movie draws inspiration from the documentary of the same name, which detailed Kerr`s rise to prominence in the MMA world, his subsequent dramatic downfall, and his struggles with addiction. The cast includes several notable figures from combat sports. Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader portrays UFC Hall of Famer and Kerr`s friend Mark Coleman. Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk appears as 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 plays himself.
