Introduction to Dwayne Johnson’s New Role
Dwayne Johnson has expressed his excitement about his new film, The Smashing Machine, which he believes has given him the opportunity to "pursue" more serious roles and showcase his acting abilities. Johnson spoke about his experience working on the film at a press conference in Venice, where the movie is competing.
Johnson’s Career Reflections
Johnson began his career as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and has since worked on numerous films. However, he revealed that he re-evaluated his career a few years ago and felt unsatisfied with the direction it was taking. "I started thinking, am I living my dream or am I living the dreams of other people?" Johnson said. He realized that he wanted to take a different path and explore more meaningful roles.
The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine tells the story of Mark Kerr, a wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, during the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The film was written, directed, co-produced, and edited by Benny Safdie, who is known for his work on Good Time and Uncut Gems. Johnson plays the lead role of Kerr, while Emily Blunt plays his partner, Dawn. The film explores themes of male vulnerability and the struggles that come with maintaining a tough image.
Male Vulnerability
According to Blunt, the film provides a unique backdrop for exploring male vulnerability. "It’s a really fantastic backdrop for a story of specific male vulnerability – you can see that it’s reinforced in this arena," she said. Johnson added that the film is not just about fighting, but about the love story between Mark and Dawn, and Mark’s passion for his sport. "The transformation was something I was really hungry for," Johnson said.
Working with Emily Blunt
Johnson and Blunt previously worked together on the 2021 film Jungle Cruise. Johnson praised Blunt for encouraging him to take on more challenging roles and believing in his abilities. "From the beginning when we worked on Jungle Cruise, [Blunt] encouraged and believed in me and said that there’s a place where you can put all the things you’ve gone through as a child," Johnson said.
Release and Distribution
The Smashing Machine will premiere in Toronto after its debut in Venice. The film is set to be released in major markets on October 3, with A24 distributing it in the United States and Entertainment Film Distributors handling the release in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The cast also includes Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.
