Dwayne Johnson is breaking stereotypes with the A24 movie The Smashing Machine. The actor, who will also star in the mafia criminal drama set in Hawaii by Martin Scorsese, first debuts in independent cinema with Benny Safdie’s biopic about the LEGEND OF UFC Mark Kerr.
Seven Bucks Productions, from Johnson, acquired the rights of “The Smashing Machine” in 2019. A24 later joined as a partner in 2023. The film marks the first solo management work of Safdie without his brother Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie also wrote the script based on the real story of Kerr and his ascent in the UFC.
According to the initial announcement of A24, Johnson’s most dramatic project to date follows the maximum point of MMA Kerr’s fighter during the “Era without UFC rules” in 2000. Kerr was twice champion of the UFC heavyweight tournament and fought notoriously with an analgesics addiction. Kerr was previously the issue of the 2002 documentary, also entitled The Smashing Machinewhich detailed his career in MMA fighting in Vale Tudo, UFC and Pride.
Johnson added: “It’s such a psychological thing here. But you know, from the moment I leave my house, I can’t hide. But, in some way, when I can disappear in a movie like Smashing Machineand in some of the other things that we are now developing, where that will allow me to disappear, with a Benny again or with an A24 … man, I love it. “
The Smashing Machine It opens in cinemas on October 3, by A24. @Mundiario
