Summary
- Dwayne Johnson takes a break from big-budget blockbusters to star in A24’s The Smashing Machine.
- The film tells the story of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, and his struggle with addiction.
- Johnson’s appearance in The Smashing Machine could be one of his most important roles to date, amidst his busy schedule of upcoming projects.
Dwayne Johnson has become known for starring in big-budget blockbusters with big studios over his career, but his new role seems set to completely go against The Rock’s usual cooking style. Johnson has signed on to star in A24’s The Smashing Machine as Mark Kerr, the real-life two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, and The Rock recently addressed how the film will be his chance to “push” himself in new ways.
The new movie is written and directed by Benny Safdie, one half of the team behind Adam Sandler’s huge critical hit, Uncut Gems. The project has been in development for several years with Johnson as the lead, and will be Safdie’s first time as sole director. Naturally, as well as being financed by A24, Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions is onboard to produce alongside the studio, Safdie’s own Out for the Count, David Koplan and Eli Bush.
As per Variety, Johnson discussed collaborating with director Benny Safdie, his desire to make “films that matter,” even if he won’t be turning his back on his “big, four-quadrant movies.” Johnson said:
“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. 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 a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.
I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies. I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them] … but there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more. And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity. And that is why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner for me.”
Dwayne Johnson Has Many Projects in the Pipeline
The last few years have been a little tricky for the usually bankable Johnson. The actor seemed set to be a big part of the future of the DCU when taking the lead role in Black Adam. Having hyped up the movie to the hilt, and teased the return of Henry Cavill as Superman in the process, the movie ended up being the first of several lackluster offers from Warner Bros.’ DC franchise, and Johnson’s DC dominance very quickly faded away.
Since then, Johnson made an unexpected return to the Fast and Furious franchise as Luke Hobbs in the post-credits scene of Fast X, and will soon appear with Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons in the festive movie Red One on Prime Video. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to The Rock’s ever-evolving list of upcoming projects.
As well as a full return to the Fast Saga, Johnson will also reprise his role as Maui in a live-action remake of Disney’s Moana, join Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot in a sequel to the Netflix hit Red Notice, and is still expected to return to the Jumanji franchise when his schedule allows it. With so many big movies on his dance card, it is clear that his appearance in The Smashing Machine is clearly a break from the norm, and that could make it one of the wrestler-turned-actor’s most important movies to date.
There is currently no release date for The Smashing Machine, but expect to see plenty of updates from Johnson via his social media once filming gets underway.
