Dwayne Johnson is ready to drop an elbow on his opponents in a brand new poster for The Smashing Machine, an upcoming movie about MMA icon Mark Kerr from Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems) and A24. Who’s able to sweat and go away some blood on the mat?
Mark Kerr is a former American wrestler and combined martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Event Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship event winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA Nationwide Wrestling Champion, 1994 Nationwide Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is likely one of the greatest badasses to ever get into the ring.
Along with his directorial duties, Benny Safdie is co-writing The Smashing Machine script, which focuses on Kerr’s battle with dependancy, victory, love, and friendship within the 12 months 2000. More likely to veer into extra extreme territory, The Smashing Machine offers Johnson a uncommon alternative to flex his drama muscle groups for cameras. Whereas some could possibly be confused about what that appears like, Safdie is understood for bringing the perfect out of his movie stars.
The newest poster for The Smashing Machine finds Johnson as Mark Kerr, his fists raised, eyes locked on his goal, and able to flip his opponent into hamburger meat. It’s been a scorching minute since we’ve seen Johnson with hair, and it’s fairly the sight.
In line with Benny Safdie, he knew Dwayne Johnson was your best option to play Mark Kerr instantly. Talking about casting Johnson in The Smashing Machine, Safdie mentioned, “You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness. If somebody’s open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they’re going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don’t know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.”
Beforehand, Johnson mentioned he identifies with Kerr’s journey: “I didn’t have anybody to turn to. I didn’t have a mentor, I didn’t have a big brother. So it was like, Oh, I need to figure all this shit out on my own. So you figure out the shit on your own, and then the shit you don’t figure out, well, guess where it goes?” Pointing towards his ribs, Johnson provides: “In there.”
Apart from his anticipated return to the Quick and Livid franchise, Johnson’s Hollywood dance card stays full. He’s enjoying Maui in Disney’s live-action model of Moana and stars in a number of tasks in numerous phases of manufacturing, together with Bit Bother in Little China, San Andreas 2, Jungle Cruise 2, Doc Savage, and extra. Along with his performing profession, Johnson enjoys his on-again, off-again wrestling spots, ensuring everybody nonetheless smells what he’s cooking.
The Smashing Machine involves theaters on October 3, 2025.
