“Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has just completed his most recent endeavor in Tinseltown. Setting his sights on a fresh role, the ex-WWE Champion is gearing up to depict an MMA combatant in a heart-rending drama from A24, the creative minds behind “The Iron Claw.”
In the upcoming motion picture “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson is all set to join forces with director Benny Safdie. Safdie, a creative genius recognized for his contribution to “Uncut Gems,” also penned the screenplay. Johnson’s character in the movie is Mark Kerr, a noteworthy figure evident from his titles as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion.
The story that inspired the film first came to public knowledge in a revealing HBO documentary, also titled “The Smashing Machine,” which was released in 2002. The documentary unraveled the intricate details of Kerr’s combat career, his expedition into the world of MMA, culminating in a struggle with dimming stardom and a crippling addiction to painkillers leading to an overdose. His combative style on the ring resonated so much with the community that he was nicknamed “The Smashing Machine.”
The film will be produced by both Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions and Safdie’s Out For The Count banner, along with Eli Bush, and David Koplan.
The latest updates coming from Hollywood North Buzz convey that the recording of Johnson’s scenes, which were in Vancouver, is wrapped. Filming primarily saw the inside of a set replicating the Tokyo Dome ring, housed in Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. This location was chosen as the stage to recreate several bouts from the illustrious Pride Fighting Championship.
The unveiling for the much-awaited movie is scheduled for 2025.