US EditionDwayne Johnson and 7 Other Actors Who've Transformed to Play Fighters
Dwayne Johnson gained 30 pounds in six months and used 22 prosthetics to authentically portray MMA pioneer Mark Kerr in the film The Smashing Machine, critics say.
- On Friday, October 3, 2025, The Smashing Machine opens with Dwayne Johnson starring as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, gaining 30 pounds for the role.
- The film adapts the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine and Benny Safdie wrote, directed, co-produced and edited the story of Mark Kerr's MMA journey.
- Under makeup and training, Johnson became nearly unrecognizable after wearing a wig and 22 prosthetics; he gained over 30 pounds while maintaining agility to match Kerr's fast-twitch fibre muscle.
- At its Venice premiere in September, the film drew an emotional response as Johnson teared up amid a standing ovation and Kerr was described as 'really emotional and crying.'
- The original 2002 documentary is conspicuously absent from major streamers, while John Hyams is shopping it and expects a release next year amid award buzz and Johnson's PR blitz.
38 Articles
38 Articles
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...
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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 …
The Best Quotes From 'The Smashing Machine,' Ranked By Fans
Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine takes audiencesinto the intense world of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, brought to life by Dwayne Johnson. Emily Blunt plays his wife, Dawn Staples, adding depth to the personal struggles faced by the couple, as the film explores the life and career of Kerr. The film also features Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman and a cameo by Bas Rutten, offering a robust look at the MMA scene.The movie follows Kerr's journey t…
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