Dwayne Johnson will return to the roots of wrestling on the big screen
21 september 2025 в 22:13
Dwayne «The Rock» Johnson returns to his fighting roots, but takes them to the big screen. In the film The Smashing Machine from A24, the actor and WWE professional wrestler plays retired fighter Mark Kerr, delivering an emotionally complex performance for the first time in his film career.
Johnson admitted that he was «scared» before this role, he revealed on CBS Sunday Morning, partly because he still had a reputation as a box office champion, not an experienced actor.
«For many years I dreamed and hoped», - he explained. «My desire was to play not just a dramatic role, but something that I could really immerse myself in and challenge myself. You hear that term. I just didn’t want to do drama. I wanted to do something that really allowed me to do that. … I’ve been chasing something for years, and what I was chasing was box office. And there’s a part of me, the brain [that says], 'Don't rock the boat. Stay in this zone. Everyone’s happy. You’re paying the bills.' But the heart says, 'Yes. But you’re not fulfilled.'»
Here Hollywood Life presents all the details you need to know about Johnson’s highly anticipated performance in The Smashing Machine.
The film explores the trials and tribulations of Kerr’s career in wrestling and mixed martial arts. There is also a documentary film with the same name that delves into Kerr’s life.
«I've been chasing something for years, and what I was chasing was box office», - he said. «And there’s a part of me, the brain [that says], 'Don't rock the boat. Stay in this zone. Everyone’s happy. You’re paying the bills.' But the heart says, 'Yes. But you’re not fulfilled.'»
Kerr is a former wrestler and mixed martial artist, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion and winner of the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament. His career led him to various championships and competitions around the world.
Kerr retired from mixed martial arts and wrestling in 2010.
The main cast of The Smashing Machine includes Dwayne as Kerr and Emily Blunt as his wife, Dawn Staples.
The film The Smashing Machine will be released in the US on October 3, 2025.
The Smashing Machine will be released in theaters. The film is not currently being streamed.
Several A24 films are usually streamed on HBO Max, so The Smashing Machine may be released on the platform in 2026, but the production company has not yet announced an official streaming date
Johnson admitted that he was «scared» before this role, he revealed on CBS Sunday Morning, partly because he still had a reputation as a box office champion, not an experienced actor.
«For many years I dreamed and hoped», - he explained. «My desire was to play not just a dramatic role, but something that I could really immerse myself in and challenge myself. You hear that term. I just didn’t want to do drama. I wanted to do something that really allowed me to do that. … I’ve been chasing something for years, and what I was chasing was box office. And there’s a part of me, the brain [that says], 'Don't rock the boat. Stay in this zone. Everyone’s happy. You’re paying the bills.' But the heart says, 'Yes. But you’re not fulfilled.'»
Here Hollywood Life presents all the details you need to know about Johnson’s highly anticipated performance in The Smashing Machine.
The film explores the trials and tribulations of Kerr’s career in wrestling and mixed martial arts. There is also a documentary film with the same name that delves into Kerr’s life.
«I've been chasing something for years, and what I was chasing was box office», - he said. «And there’s a part of me, the brain [that says], 'Don't rock the boat. Stay in this zone. Everyone’s happy. You’re paying the bills.' But the heart says, 'Yes. But you’re not fulfilled.'»
Kerr is a former wrestler and mixed martial artist, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion and winner of the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament. His career led him to various championships and competitions around the world.
Kerr retired from mixed martial arts and wrestling in 2010.
The main cast of The Smashing Machine includes Dwayne as Kerr and Emily Blunt as his wife, Dawn Staples.
The film The Smashing Machine will be released in the US on October 3, 2025.
The Smashing Machine will be released in theaters. The film is not currently being streamed.
Several A24 films are usually streamed on HBO Max, so The Smashing Machine may be released on the platform in 2026, but the production company has not yet announced an official streaming date
© Smirnova Olga
