The Rock looks unrecognizable in first look at new sports drama from Uncut Gems director
The Smashing Machine stars Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
A24has unveiled the first look at Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, which stars an unrecognizable Dwayne Johnson.
The upcoming sports drama is a biopic that follows the life and times of former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and an NCAA Division I Champion, among dozens of other accolades and accomplishments. The film takes its name from the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine, which explored both his career and tumultuous personal life.
The cast includes Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Lyndsy Gavin as Elizabeth Coleman, Oleksandr USyk as former mixed martial artist Igor Vovchanchyn, and Ryan Bader as Kerr’s coach Mark Coleman. The film is currently in production and is expected to wrap on August 1.
First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGVMay 21, 2024
“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 toldVariety, explaining that the biopic is unlike anything he’s done before. “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.”
The Smashing Machine does not yet have a release date. For more, check out our list of the most excitingupcoming moviesin 2024 and beyond, or, skip straight to the good stuff with our complete list ofmovie release dates.
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter
Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox
Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for GamesRadar+ currently based in the Midwest. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent’s Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.
James Gunn’s Superman will “be its own thing” but Christopher Reeve’s son hopes his dad’s “benchmark” performance inspires it
The directors of the Superman Christopher Reeve documentary admit they were worried when James Gunn’s studio acquired the film – but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise
I’ve been itching to play Slay the Princess on Nintendo Switch for over a year, and I’m so glad my patience paid off
