Dwayne Johnson transforms into UFC legend Mark Kerr in the new film, The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut for A24.
Dwayne Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the newly released trailer for The Smashing Machine, a raw and gripping biopic from A24 about two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the film marks Safdie’s first solo directorial feature after co-helming acclaimed hits like Uncut Gems and Good Time.
Set to hit theaters on October 3, The Smashing Machine showcases Dwayne Johnson in his most dramatic on-screen transformation yet. He stars alongside Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples. The cast also includes Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and Oleksandr Usyk. This film is Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt’s second major collaboration following 2021’s Jungle Cruise, with a third team-up already in the works—a Hawaiian crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The story follows the turbulent life of Mark Kerr, a dominant force in mixed martial arts from 1997 to 2009 and a four-time ADCC World Champion. His career and personal struggles were previously chronicled in the 2002 HBO documentary also titled The Smashing Machine, which delved into his battles with substance abuse and rocky relationships with his girlfriend and coaches.
In an earlier interview, Dwayne Johnson explained why this film is a pivotal moment in his career. “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,” he said. “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… make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
The film is written by Safdie, who also produces alongside Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, and David Koplan. Tracey Landon serves as executive producer.
With a gritty tone, powerhouse cast, and a deeply human story, The Smashing Machine is shaping up to be one of the year’s most talked-about biopics.
