The Smashing Machine It is one of those films that can change an actor’s career. And that is something that Dwayne Johnson He knew since he entered to star in the Benny Safdie project covered by A24. Now, the first trailer of the film gives us a paradoxically sensitive approximation that contrasts with the skills of the UFC legend, Mark Kerr. With this biographical character on the way, added to the co -star of Emily Blunt and to the solo debut of the realization of the youngest of the directors who gave us titles of the imprint of Good Time (2017) or Gross diamonds (2019).
‘The Smashing Machine’ (A24).
Seven Bucks ProductionsJohnson himself, acquired the rights of The Smashing Machine In 2019, with A24 subsequently adding as a partner in 2023. Benny Safdie himself produces with his Out for the Count label, along with Dany García. Under the umbrella of the brand of the leading actor, his former brother -in -law Hiram García, Eli Bush and David Koplan They finish occupying the executive cast of production. Based on the real history of Kerr and his ascent to the UFC and, starting from the homonymous documentary that John Hyams, Benny and Joshua Safdie directed the script of what a priori seems like the classic plot of overcoming and sacrifice linked to the world of the quadrilateral that has traditionally enchanted to the Academy. From Rocky (1976) until The fighter (2008), The perspective of sacrifice and pain Physical has always worked as a narrative catalyst towards emotional suffering and this, added to the surprise of seeing an incarnate the rock in an atypical role in his career, feeds the still premature voices that aim to call attention to attention in The final awards circuit.
‘The Smashing Machine’ (A24).
According to the official announcement of the independent study, Johnson’s most dramatic project to date follows the height of the MMA fighter path, during the call “It was without UFC restrictions”. Kerr became twice heavyweight champion and had a recognized fight against analgesics addiction.
Trailer for ‘The Smashing Machine’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arpnp3lz99g
Believing that Johnson can have some recognition in the awards season that will arrive at the end of this 2025 is still a somewhat speculative belief. But the surprise factor of seeing an unexpected performance in such a purely commercial cutting actor plays in favor of the Californian of Samoan origin. Although in one of his last interviews, Safdie was shown skeptical with the assessment that could give the star with his performance.
‘The Smashing Machine’ (A24).
«You really understand fears, love, sadness, happiness. If someone is willing to do that and talk about it, they may offer great performance. Due to his great physical strength, I don’t know if many people give him that opportunity, ”the director told the magazine GQ In November 2024. Apart from Johnson and Blunt, the film has other faces such as Bas Rutten, Paul Lazenby, Whitney Moore and Andre Tricoteux. Beyond his fantastic work behind the cameras, Ben Safdie has also highlighted as an actor as his own Good Time, Oppenheimer (2023), the series The Curse or as a member of the casting full of legends of the performance that Christopher Nolan prepares with The Odyssey.
For its part, Joshua Safdie will premiere Marty Supreme alone. Film based on the real story of Ping Pong champion, Marty Reismman, which will give life Timothée Chalamet.
Johnson will continue in commercial cinema
Despite this author’s drift, Dwayne Johnson has several times that accepting this type of papers will not translate into a renunciation to its most commercial side. However and as a professional, characters like Kerr if they are to some extent, a acting relief and stimulating in its filmography.
Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ (A24).
«I want more humanity. And that’s why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborator and ambitious partner for me. Benny wants to create and continue to innovate, with raw and real stories, authentic and sometimes uncomfortable characters (…) I am at a point in my career in which I want to make movies that import, that explore humanity and fight and pain, ”explained the former WWE fighter to Variety at the beginning of 2024.
Dwayne Johnson will star in the new Martin Scorsese movie.
In 2026 Johnson will see it in the Live Action of Vaiana, Jummanji 4 and Fast X: Part 2. At the same time, he will star in a new project with Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt still without a title and will be directed by Martin Scorsese.
