Dwayne Johnson re-enters the arena this time portraying iconic MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the film titled “The Smashing Machine“. Today, A24 unveiled the initial trailer, giving a gritty glimpse into Kerr’s triumphs and struggles during his career at its pinnacle in 2000.
Watch below.
The Story Behind The Smashing Machine
Known as “The Smashing Machine” due to his aggressive fighting technique, Mark Kerr went on to become a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. The book depicts Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr during his struggles with addiction, fame, and personal relationships, all while striving to keep his reign in the ring intact.
As a movie critic, I’d say: “In this film, I found myself drawn into the raw and gritty world of a character reminiscent of Kerr, whose story was originally presented in a 2002 HBO docuseries. The masterful direction by Benny Safdie skillfully unveiled the troubled side of the protagonist, particularly his struggle with painkiller addiction – a powerful theme that resonated from the original documentary.
Johnson and Safdie’s Long-Awaited Collaboration
Since 2019, Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie have been collaborating on this project, with the former’s Seven Bucks Productions obtaining the rights to Kerr’s story. Given that Johnson previously worked in professional wrestling, he brings authentic real-life insights to his portrayal of a fighter grappling with fame and personal struggles.
In Johnson’s words, “Our training camp was fully realized when Mark Kerr himself joined us.” He had earlier mentioned this at the beginning of production. “Mark Kerr is still a force to be reckoned with, capable of closing gaps with terrifying speed and power. I will always appreciate the invaluable wisdom he has shared with me and the bond we share as brothers.
Johnson added, “Training alongside Mark and experiencing his force and might – it’s hardly shocking that he became an NCAA, UFC, and Vale Tudo Heavyweight Champion. The main part of success is revealed here. However, the other aspect provides a completely different tale.
Rock expressed his gratitude by saying, “I want to thank each and every one of you for your amazing support during this challenging period and our shared voyage.
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Who stars?
With Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt plays the role of Dawn Staples, Kerr’s girlfriend. The supporting actors include Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk. The producers for this production are David Koplan, Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, Safdie, and Eli Bush.
Release Details
On October 3, 2025, the movie titled “The Smashing Machine” will be released in cinemas. This film is brought to you by A24, a studio recognized for producing movies such as “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “Uncut Gems”.
Watch the trailer:
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2025-04-29 18:31