Dwayne Johnson is known to give his all, no matter what project he undertakes. Whether it is wrestling or acting, the Rock always makes sure to deliver his best, even when many don’t like his best (Black Adam!?). After showing who is the Final Boss inside the squared circle, the actor is gearing up for another fight inside the ring.
Yet this time it won’t be WrestleMania or SmackDown but the world of reel that would feature the actor showing his impeccable wrestling moves. Starring as the legendary MMA fighter, Mark Kerr, Johnson is all geared up to shoot the upcoming movie, The Smashing Machine.
Dwayne Johnson To Play a MMA Fighter in His Next Hollywood Flick
Dwayne Johnson has taken several roles in his amazing career in Hollywood, yet The Smashing Machine will be the very first time that the actor will be seen inside the ring (apart from playing himself in 2019’s Fighting with My Family). The wrestler-turned-actor recently returned to his first love, wrestling, and gave fans one of his best performances ever.
But, now as fans anticipate more of his appearances inside the ring, the wrestler is heading to the world of acting to portray the MMA legend, Mark Kerr. A former wrestler and MMA fighter, Kerr has several titles to his name including two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, four-time ADCC World Submission Champion, and many more.
The Smashing Machine, produced and financed by A24, will detail the MMA champion’s journey with addiction and later his tryst with winning, friendship, and love in the year 2000. Following the release of the HBO documentary of the same name based on the life and career of Kerr, Johnson and Benny Safdie have been working on the project since 2019 (see Deadline).
After revealing that he is all set to begin his training for the movie in a recent tweet, Johnson also added that The Smashing Machine will be his most personal work as an actor.
The Smashing Machine is Dwayne Johnson’s Love Letter to His Wrestling Friends
Dwayne Johnson, despite becoming one of the biggest actors in Hollywood, has not forgotten his roots. Starting as a professional wrestler, the actor has always given back to the community and fans. Not only is he often spotted at such events, but he more recently became one of the board members of TKO Group.
After wrapping up WrestleMania 40, the Rock is all set to prepare his training to portray Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. In his recent tweet, the actor stated that the movie is his love letter to all his friends, including wrestling friends, who struggled with addiction and lost their lives.
From the wrestling ring to the MMA cage.
With WrestleMania behind me – my second training camp of 2024 begins tomorrow for my next role, in a film titled – The Smashing Machine.
My body’s banged up from Mania, but no injuries and feeling great – ready to go.
Starting my MMA… pic.twitter.com/J1OJE2vkbi
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 22, 2024
In the video attached to the tweet, the actor/wrestler added how proud and honored he is to be part of the movie and how excited he is to begin the project. Stating that he wants to be as prepared as he can be to portray the legendary MMA and UFC champion, Rock ended the video on a positive note.
The release date for The Smashing Machine is yet to be revealed.
