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Dwayne Johnson is stepping into a new chapter of his career, and leaving the superhero cape behind. In the trailer for The smashing machine, Johnson sheds his usual charisma to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a man once at the top of the fighting world but battling inner demons. The A24 biopic, directed by Benny Safdie in his first solo directorial effort, promises a gripping, emotional dive into one of the sport's most complex figures.
Gone is the glossy action-hero image. In its place, Johnson reveals a side of himself few have seen, stripped down, haunted, and nearly unrecognizable as he takes on Kerr's harrowing journey through fame, addiction and fractured relationships.
Benny Safdie makes his solo mark
Known for co-directing Uncut gems and Good time with his brother Josh, Benny Safdie now steps into the ring alone. And he's swinging hard. Safdie's style,M chaotic, intimate and emotionally charged, seems tailor-made for Kerr's real-life saga.
Safdie not only directs but also wrote the screenplay and co-produces alongside Johnson, DanyGarcia, Eli Bush and others. This marks the second time Johnson teams up with Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples. The two previously starred together in Jungle cruise and are set to reunite once again in an Martin Scorsese project with Leonardo DiCaprio.
A fighter's legacy and downfall
Mark Kerr dominated the world of mixed martial arts from 1997 to 2009, earning four ADCC World Championship titles. But outside the cage, his battles were just beginning. The film draws inspiration from the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled Kerr's descent into drug abuse and the emotional toll of his career.
For Johnson, this role is more than just a performance, it's a personal challenge. "I want to make films that matter," he said in a previous interview, describing Safdie's vision as "raw, real, and arresting."
Coming soon to theaters
The smashing machine hits theaters on October 3. Judging by the trailer, it won't pull any punches.