A24 has shared a first look at Dwayne Johnson as UFC champion Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine.
The sole image sees the actor and former pro wrestler sitting in the corner of a ring mid-fight, sporting what seems to be prosthetics so he can have a more similar look to Kerr. Joining Johnson and his coaches in the first look is his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples and can be spotted sitting ringside.
The Smashing Machine will mark Safdie’s solo feature directorial debut following his creative split with his older brother Josh, and will follow Kerr’s journey as a professional fighter and his struggles with substance abuse. A release date is yet to be announced.
During his time as an active fighter, Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner and a competitor for PRIDE FC. As a wrestler, he was a NCAA Division I champion and even took home medals at the World Cup and Pan American Games.
Stay tuned for more info.
First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGV
— A24 (@A24) May 21, 2024
