Dwayne Johnson has signed on to play MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a new movie from A24. The biopic is called The Smashing Machine and will directed by Benny Safdie for his first solo directorial effort, sans brother Josh.
The Smashing Machine takes its title from Kerr’s nickname in the octagon, as well the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.
The film will hold a lens to the career of the two-time UFC Heavyweight champion and his struggles with addiction to prescription painkillers. While he did suffer an overdose, Kerr was able to successfully overcome his addiction with the help of his MMA community.
“Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,” A24 executive Noah Sacco said. “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”
A24 will also produce alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions and Safdie’s Out for the Count. Eli Bush and David Koplan are additionally on board as producers.
