Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson looks unrecognizable in dramatic transformation as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the first look at The Smashing Machine.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is entering a new era — and looking completely different along the way. Production is officially underway on his latest film, The Smashing Machine, where he is set to play famous but troubled MMA fighter Mark Kerr, and A24 has released an official first-look image.
The image shows The Rock nursing in the corner of a fighting ring. While he looks as muscular and strong as ever, he has a full head of hair and also has some prosthetics on his face. Clearly, The Rock is diving deep into character for his first film with the renowned indie studio/distributor.
The Smashing Machine will be directed by Benny Safdie. Safdie Last Year appeared in Oppenheimer, Are You There God? Visible and effective on all screens. It’s Me Margaret and Showtime’s The Curse, but this will be his first film as a solo director after parting ways with his brother Josh. The pair previously directed films like Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler and Good Time with Robert Pattinson, so if these are any indication, The Smashing Machine could be moving at a mile a minute. Also read – The Witcher season 4: Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt “First Look Is Out.”
Kerr’s story is a tumultuous one. He rose to the heights of becoming an NCAA Division I champion wrestler and MMA fighter, becoming a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, but had to battle substance abuse and troubled personal relationships along the way. Kerr’s story was previously documented in an HBO documentary titled The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.
The Rock will be joined in the film by his Jungle Cruise co-star and close friend Emily Blunt; She will play Dawn Staples, who was Kerr’s wife.
According to Variety, Blunt was a major inspiration in the making of the film – when she was on Oppenheimer’s set and the two were meeting during a phone call, he suggested she watch the aforementioned documentary. She watched, and later called him back, and told him, as he recalls, “You must make this film.”
The Smashing Machine does not have a release date yet