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Dwayne Johnson is in full character.
In December 2023, reports indicated that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would be taking on the role of Mark Kerr, a legendary MMA fighter, in a new biographical sports drama film. The film, titled, The Smashing Machine, will cover Kerr’s various struggles with addiction, love, and friendship as his MMA career took center stage.
With production for the film now underway, A24, the distribution company, has now shared a first glimpse into the behind-the-scenes action via Twitter.
In this new post, Johnson can be seen donning what seems to be facial prosthetics while sitting with his trainers in the corner of the ring. Johnson’s tattoos are also covered up, and he’s wearing a hairpiece. Emily Blunt, who stars as Dawn Staples (Kerr’s wife), can also be seen in the frame, looking on with concern at ringside.
Directed by Benny Safdie, “The Smashing Machine” serves as an adaptation of the HBO documentary “The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr,” which debuted in 2002. Aside from directorial duties, Safdie will also produce the movie, under his Out for the Count banner, alongside the likes of Eli Bush, David Koplan, and Seven Bucks Productions company, which is co-founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia.
In a previous interview with Variety, Johnson revealed that part of his motivation to join “The Smashing Machine” stemmed from Safdie’s envelope-pushing vision.
“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,” Johnson 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. 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.”
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