Dwayne Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the first look at his upcoming A24 drama “The Smashing Machine.”
Directed by Benny Safdie and co-starring his “Jungle Cruise” screen partner Emily Blunt, the film casts Johnson as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who struggled with addiction and his marriage while becoming an icon of the sport.
Emily Blunt stars as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife. The film is currently in production.
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Dwayne Johnson Transforms for “The Smashing Machine”
In the first look at “The Smashing Machine,” Dwayne Johnson appears typically ripped as Mark Kerr but also sports facial prosthetics to help transform into the MMA legend. Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, securing over two dozen MMA titles throughout his career.
“The Smashing Machine” marks the solo feature directorial debut of Benny Safdie, who collaborated with his brother Josh on A24’s indie hits such as “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems.” Benny acted alongside Blunt in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Johnson and Safdie first connected on the project in 2019 but fell out of touch and put the film on hold due to the pandemic. Years later, Johnson and Blunt were on the phone when Blunt revealed she had just watched the 2002 documentary “The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr” and encouraged Johnson: “You must make this movie.”
Johnson’s Commitment to Authentic Storytelling
Johnson previously told Variety that he was drawn to “The Smashing Machine” because “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.”
Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions are producing the film alongside Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush, and David Koplan.
A24 has not yet announced a release date for “The Smashing Machine.”
Dwayne Johnson’s Reply To A DC Fan Trying to Hype Up Joker
Dwayne Johnson may have embraced his role as a villain in the WWE, but his ferocity extended beyond the wrestling ring. The actor fully embodied the ruthless anti-hero Black Adam on numerous occasions, amplifying the persona while promoting the 2022 film. Despite being cast in the role back in 2014, Johnson’s standalone film received mixed reviews upon its eventual release.
Throughout his journey into the DCEU, Johnson consistently hyped up the formidable presence of Black Adam, embracing the character’s anti-heroic qualities during promotional events. In classic Black Adam style, the actor even responded to fan enthusiasm for Jared Leto’s Joker in Suicide Squad.
Johnson’s marketing efforts for Black Adam commenced well before the film’s official green light, as he eagerly promoted his involvement in the DCEU from the moment he was cast. Initially considered for the role of Shazam, Johnson ultimately embraced the mantle of the primary antagonist, Black Adam, announcing his casting in 2014.
First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGV
— A24 (@A24) May 21, 2024
Despite facing years of developmental challenges and originally intended appearances in Shazam falling through, Johnson eventually had the opportunity to embody Black Adam in his own solo film. Reflecting on his connection to the character since childhood, Johnson emphasized his affinity for Black Adam’s appearance and persona, drawn to the character’s rebellious nature and undeniable toughness.
Black Adam Sequel: A Victim of DC’s Turmoil
Despite significant anticipation, Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam sequel fell victim to the turmoil within DC’s management.
DC’s ongoing struggles with mismanagement have plagued its film projects. The interference in Zack Snyder’s planned franchise, coupled with changes in leadership and the dissolution of the DCEU, ultimately led to Henry Cavill’s departure from the Superman role, despite his earlier announcement of returning.
According to Dwayne Johnson, these same issues contributed to the cancellation of Black Adam’s sequel. Despite the hype surrounding the superhero film, it reportedly underperformed at the box office, failing to recoup its substantial budget of approximately $260 million, with earnings totaling only $393 million.
During an episode of Hart to Heart, Johnson discussed the sequel’s fate, “I think that Black Adam got caught in a vortex of new leadership…It was so many changes in leadership. Anytime you have a company, a publicly traded company, and you have all those changes in leadership, you have people coming in who creatively, fiscally, are going to make decisions that you may not agree with, philosophically.”
Despite Johnson’s relentless promotion and portrayal of Black Adam’s electrifying personality, the film received mixed reviews and failed to resonate with audiences. Following the assumption of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new heads of the DCU, no immediate plans for a Black Adam sequel were announced.
