Dwayne Johnson Will Star In Film About MMA Fighter Mark Kerr
The A24 Film Will Be Directed By Benny Safdie of ‘Uncut Gems’
A Real Challenge for The Rock
It looks like The Rock is taking on his most interesting role in years. Variety revealed the entertainment news that Dwayne Johnson has been cast in the film “The Smashing Machine,” which will be produced by A24.
Dwayne @TheRock Johnson will be taking his most dramatic role to date in a new A24 project from one half of the ‘Uncut Gems’ team, Benny Safdie. He will play Mark Kerr in #TheSmashingMachine: https://t.co/hhENiq7NWE pic.twitter.com/W7ZWqx9FQB
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 13, 2023
The film is about former MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who battled issues with addiction. He was the subject of a documentary in 2002 of the same name where film crews explored his battles with addiction and depression. Kerr was a big deal in the early days of UFC before they had many rules.
However, he couldn’t keep up once the fighting league started to have more rules and regulations. He was once a huge name but quickly fell into obscurity. This film will bring Kerr’s story to a much bigger audience.
Though A24 movies aren’t the typical blockbuster circus that Johnson is used to, it will provide him a platform to express his creativity and ability as an actor. Johnson has been playing it safe with big blockbuster action movies for the better part of a decade and we haven’t seen him give a real performance since 2013’s “Snitch.”
Kerr was a hulking man during his UFC heyday and Johnson should have the perfect physique for that. However, Kerr and Johnson are just three years apart in age so it’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be covering Kerr’s UFC career in the film and having Johnson portray him. He’s much older than Kerr was during his fighting days.
“The Smashing Machine” Hype Escalates
Regardless, this should be one of the most hyped dramas of the next couple of years. The film will be directed by Benny Safdie of “Uncut Gems” fame. There should be a ton of interest in seeing Johnson give a real dramatic performance. This movie has a lot going for it.
A24 has a great track record and just released the critically acclaimed film “The Iron Claw,” which is about wrestling. “The Smashing Machine” will rely heavily on Johnson and his ability as an actor. If he crushes the role, he could get serious awards buzz.
He’s one of the biggest names in the world but he hasn’t challenged himself creatively in a long time. Not many people would’ve been interested in a biopic of Kerr but now that Johnson and Safdie are attached, this could be an awards favorite whenever it comes out.
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Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City SniperBusting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it.
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