“I Feel Like I’ve Evolved”

Dwayne Johnson has explained how his “freeing” new A24 movie The Smashing Machine has changed his career approach when considering new movies to star in. The WWE wrestler-turned-actor has starred in many blockbuster movies throughout his career, from multiple Fast & Furious movies to the DCEU’s 2022 film Black Adam. However, his upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine will see him portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a far cry from the fictional, action-packed films he’s known for. The indie movie, directed by Benny Safdie, marks Johnson’s first time starring in an A24 production.

Speaking with GQ about his role in The Smashing Machine, Johnson explained how the movie changed the way he approaches his career. The actor explained how he’d always done movies with the audience in mind, but that his biopic role made him realize he wants to start doing movies that resonate with him on a deeper level. While this doesn’t mean he’ll only star in smaller productions from now on, he said he wants to branch out with his future film projects. Check out what Johnson had to say below:

I had this conceit and I idealized what my career should be. Audience first. Let’s take care of the audience first. So I get a piece of material, I’d look at it and think, Okay, does this have four-quadrant capability and opportunity? Are audiences going to like seeing me in this role?

It was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn’t been stretched yet. And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn’t been challenged.

I feel like I’ve evolved and grown. What’s evolved and changed, and I mean this respectfully because I love people, is it’s got to be for me.

A hundred percent. Now not to say that ‘Oh, there’s no more big movies.’ Because the big movies are fun and there’s a place for them in our business for a lot of families and people around the world to enjoy them. But there’s also a place for me, in my career, where the material is deeper, it allows me to sink my teeth into something deeper, richer.

What The Smashing Machine Really Means For Johnson’s Future Film Career

He Might Take Similar Roles In The Near Future

Johnson’s most well-known movies have been major blockbusters from well-known studios, the actor often taking the spotlight in larger productions. This still rings true in 2024, with his latest movie, Red One, as well as Moana 2‘s upcoming release. He’s also poised to reprise his role as Maui in a live-action Moana remake in 2026, showing that he’s still not done participating in big-budget movies. However, his statement about The Smashing Machine indicates he’s broadening his horizons, looking for work that satisfies him artistically as well as commercially.

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By altering his career path, Johnson opens himself up to more opportunities, potentially snagging higher positive reception from his performances in smaller roles. The actor’s larger movies haven’t been a hit with critics in recent years, with reviews for Red One marking it with a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes before release. His last positively-received movie was 2022’s DC League of Super-Pets, which had also been his first animated feature since Moana. This could indicate that, when Johnson works outside his typical action-packed films, he can find unexpected critical success, making putting himself first a positive step for his career.

Our Take On Johnson’s Career After The Smashing Machine

This Could Be The Start Of More Indie Films In His Lineup

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Although it will be quite some time before The Smashing Machine gets any form of critical reception, Johnson’s dedication to the film indicates more indies could be in his future lineup. This would open the door for plenty of unique movies where he could flex his acting muscles, taking on roles he otherwise never could have in a blockbuster setting. With the movie set for release next year, it sounds like the actor’s career is about to take a key turn that will define his future film choices.

Johnson is also a producer on
The Smashing Machine
, alongside Safdie, Eli Bush, and David Koplan.

Source: GQ

The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama by director Benny Safdie. Dwayne Johnson stars as MMA fighter Mark Kerr and will explore his life and career in the mixed martial arts circuit. 

Director

Benny Safdie

Studio(s)

Seven Bucks Productions , Out for the Count

Distributor(s)

A24

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