Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has drawn criticism over the previous few years for taking part in variations of himself in his films. However, A24’s The Smashing Machine, directed by Uncut Gems‘ Benny Safdie, is giving the actor and former WWE star an opportunity to actually rework. Within the upcoming movie, Johnson will transfer away from taking part in one other quipping motion hero to deliver the actual MMA legend, Mark Kerr, to life within the new biopic.
New photos of Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr have been launched, and it is likely to be The Rock’s most drastic transformation to this point. The photographs had been shared on Instagram by Kerr himself. When “The Rock” and “transformation” are utilized in the identical sentence, many assume it to be a bodily transformation, with the muscular actor getting in even higher form. Whereas that can also be true on this case, as Johnson seems to have bulked up considerably for The Smashing Machine, it’s the make-up and prosthetics which have really turned The Rock into Mark Kerr.
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The Rock calls his upcoming initiatives “probably the most creatively inspiring time of my profession.”
The second picture is probably the most placing because it reveals Johnson and Kerr facet by facet. Other than the plain distinction in hair, The Rock appears eerily just like the sporting legend. That is the most effective look followers have obtained of Johnson in full make-up for the film because the first promo nonetheless was launched final 12 months. The Smashing Machine is at the moment slated to launch on October 3, 2025.
‘The Smashing Machine’ Is a “Bizarre” Biopic
Whereas common moviegoers have not even seen a trailer for The Smashing Machine but, the primary take a look at screenings have already taken place. Per World of Reel, the primary reactions to the brand new A24 film are extremely stunning. In response to the report, The Smashing Machine does not play like a common biopic, and is “indescribable in tone and magnificence.” The report went as far as to name it “a spoof of the biopic style.” In truth, it’s reported to be “one of many weirdest A24 movies ever produced” — which is stunning contemplating the studio is behind Killing of the Sacred Deer, Males, Swiss Military Man, and Below the Pores and skin.
Whereas the primary reactions to the film could also be weird, Dwayne Johnson’s efficiency has obtained excessive reward from one other MMA vet. Former Pancrase champion, Bas Rutten, who additionally stars in The Smashing Machine, says that The Rock embodies Mark Kerr in his efficiency. “He did a great job,” Rutten informed the Geeking Out podcast. “DJ [Dwayne Johnson] was, it was scary, there was a second the place he was speaking to the Japanese press, and I simply stroll over, and I am standing, it was an actual scene. All the things was filmed prefer it actually occurred. His voice, he began talking like Kerr.”
Mark “The Smashing Machine” Kerr was a two-time heavyweight UFC champion, and in addition competed in different highly-regarded organizations like Pleasure and the IFL. The Smashing Machine will reportedly look at Kerr’s profession within the Octagon, in addition to his very difficult private life between fights.
Supply: Instagram, World of Reel, Geeking Out
The Smashing Machine
- Launch Date
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2025
- Director
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Benny Safdie
- Writers
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Benny Safdie
- Producers
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Beau Flynn, David Koplan, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Tracey Landon