News culture Dwayne Johnson is set to play an MMA pioneer in this low-budget film, and he’s aiming for an Oscar for this role
Dwayne Johnson is preparing to leave the world of blockbusters to star in a more modest independent film, but one that’s a perfect fit for the former professional wrestler.
An MMA film tailor-made for Dwayne Johnson
No, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson isn’t just a blockbuster star. The highest-paid actor in Hollywood has so far preferred big-budget filming, but he is soon set to take part in a more modest project: The smashing machinea film about Mark Kerr, an MMA pioneer and world freestyle fighting champion whose career suffered a tragic decline after the fighter developed an addiction to painkillers.
The project is currently in its infancy. In 2003, Mark Kerr’s story was told by HBO with the documentary of the same name The smashing machine. This time it’s actually fiction.
An A24 production
At the helm of this new project is Benny Safdie. The actor-director, recently seen in Oppenheimer, Liquorice pizza or the series Obi Wan Kenobiis best known for the films he made with his brother Josh, such as Good time or Unpolished gemstonesThe latter is available on Netflix.
Pour The smashing machine, Benny Safdie reunites with production company A24, who he previously worked with on Uncut Gems. A24 is expected to distribute and produce the film alongside Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie through their respective companies Seven Bucks and Out for the Count. A renowned actor, a talented director and a successful production company: The smashing machine
