US EditionDwayne Johnson and 7 Other Actors Who've Transformed to Play Fighters
Dwayne Johnson gained over 30 pounds and used 22 prosthetics to authentically portray MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, exploring his career and personal struggles in the film.
- On Oct. 3, Dwayne Johnson opens up about transforming into mixed martial artist Mark Kerr as A24's The Smashing Machine hits theaters.
- Benny Safdie wrote, directed, co-produced and edited The Smashing Machine, while Dwayne Johnson spent significant time getting to know Mark Kerr to prepare.
- For the role, Dwayne Johnson used 22 prosthetics, wore a wig and gained over 30 pounds across six months to portray Mark Kerr.
- The festival reception and co-star endorsements strengthened early awards-season buzz as Dwayne Johnson teared up during a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, September premiere, and Emily Blunt praised his deeply committed performance.
- Johnson says the role changed his life, deepening empathy for Mark Kerr and fighters facing relatable pressure.
41 Articles
41 Articles
What films are out in UK cinemas this week? Reviews from The Smashing Machine to Urchin
It's a pretty busy week of new release as we head into October – and you certainly can't complain about a lack of variety.Perhaps the most high profile of the new cinema arrivals is Benny Safdie's The Smashing Machine, which stars Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in a role that has seen many punters tip in as a possible candidate for the Oscar for Best Actor.There's also Kathryn Bigelow's acclaimed new nuclear drama A House of …
Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie, and Emily Blunt reveal the awkward moment that led to 'The Smashing Machine'
At a glance, it makes sense why Dwayne Johnson would want to make The Smashing Machine. A biographical drama about UFC fighter Mark Kerr, the new film from writer/director Benny Safdie explores the highs and lows in the ring and beyond it. But it wasn't Safdie, the celebrated co-helmer of Uncut Gems, that came to Johnson. It was the other way around. And yet the movie almost didn't happen, except for an awkward moment Safdie shared with his Oppe…
Benny Safdie separates from his brother Joshua to direct the biopic of a famous wrestler, Mark Kerr, alone, forgetting the roughness and discomfort that marked his beginnings.Paul Thomas Anderson confirms himself as one of the great directors of recent cinema with the apotheotic ‘One Battle after Another’ It was striking that, during his speech of gratitude to win the Silver Lion at the Best Direction at the last Venice Festival, Benny Safdie di…
Fans cringe at Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's super-long standing...
“The Smashing Machine” is getting early Oscar buzz for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. At first, fans were shocked by the 53-year-old actor’s slimmed-down physique. But now, from “Fallon” to “GMA,” all anyone wants to talk about is the 15-minute standing ovation the biopic received at the Venice Film Festival. Meanwhile on A24’s TikTok page, fans...
MyCentralOregon.com
Dwayne Johnson opens up about 'The Smashing Machine' transformation
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt appear on ‘Good Morning America’ on Oct. 2, 2025. (ABC News) Dwayne Johnson is opening up about his transformation in the upcoming A24 film The Smashing Machine. Johnson portrays mixed martial artist and UFC fighter Mark Kerr in the movie, and he wore a wig and put on 30 pounds for the lead role. “For me, the transformation was 22 prosthetics, over 30 pounds that I had to put on, which is a lot of weight,” Johnson …
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