Dwayne Johnson to take a turn for the dramatic as he's set to play MMA icon Mark Kerr in new film, 'The Smashing Machine' from Benny Safdie & A24

by Darian Scalamoni

    Dwayne Johnson is truly one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood. However, the biggest knock on him in terms of the entertainment industry since he transitioned full-time to acting back in 2004, is that he never has given himself much of a legitimate dramatic acting challenge. Despite the fact that we saw a glimpse of it in Michael Bay's Pain & Gain, for the most part, Johnson sticks to action, comedy and family friendly type projects. But now, there might be a new film lined up that can subvert that idea.

    It seems that A24 will produce the upcoming biopic, The Smashing Machine, which follows early MMA superstar Mark Kerr in the year 2000, when the UFC is taking shape as a barbaric new fighting promotion that Kerr excelled in. Additionally, the film will explore Kerr's struggles with addiction, winning, love and friendship at the height of the new millennium. The title of the film, The Smashing Machine, comes from the documentary of the same name about Kerr. 

    Benny Safdie will direct the film in what is expected to be his first solo directorial effort since rumors have run rampant that the directing duo known as The Safdie Bros. comprising of Benny and Josh have split. Safdie and Johnson have been said to be working on this film since 2019. Recently though, Benny Safdie has truly caught the acting bug having a huge 2023 starring in Oppenheimer, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret as well as the Showtime series, The Curse opposite Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder.

    Johnson's recent string of theatrical releases on the other hand, have actually dipped quite substantially, mainly through his passion project at DC, Black Adam. That film had a budget between $200-$230 million grossing less than $400 million at the box-office. Johnson also returned to the Fast & Furious franchise in a Fast X stinger despite having said previously he'd never star alongside co-star Vin Diesel ever again in a very public fallout.

    What are thoughts on Johnson taking on a more dramatic role in The Smashing Machine? Do you think Benny Safdie can get a lot out of his acting ability similar to what he did in Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler? Let us know in the comments!