Dwayne Johnson, globally known as “The Rock,” is one of the entertainment world`s biggest figures, famous for his massive box office successes and storied professional wrestling career in WWE. However, his upcoming film marks a significant shift, exploring a subject deeply rooted in the world of mixed martial arts.
Set for release in October, Johnson stars in The Smashing Machine, a movie chronicling the life of two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner Mark Kerr. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie, the film is produced by the independent studio A24, known for critical hits like the Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once. This departure from his usual blockbusters was precisely what attracted Johnson to the project, as he recently shared.
Speaking about his decision, Johnson explained that for years he had been seeking a creative challenge that would inspire him. While he enjoys making large-scale blockbuster movies, acknowledging they are fun but incredibly demanding to produce and widely enjoyed globally, he felt a desire for something more. He specifically wanted an opportunity to fully immerse himself and “disappear into a part and a role that would really challenge me in ways that I’ve never been challenged before.”
Johnson also admitted to welcoming the feeling of nervousness the role brought on. He described it as a “buzzy” state of uncertainty, questioning how he would tackle the complex character. This feeling, he noted, was a significant part of his experience working on The Smashing Machine with Benny Safdie and A24.
The film is based on the documentary of the same name, which details Kerr`s rise in the MMA world, his subsequent struggles, and battle with addiction. The cast includes several notable combat sports personalities portraying specific roles: former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader plays UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman; heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk portrays Russian fighter Igor Vovchanchyn; Satoshi Ishii is Enson Inoue; James Moontasri plays Akira Shoji; Andre Tricoteux appears as Paul Varelans; and former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten plays himself.
