Dwayne Johnson Wanted to ‘Disappear’ Into His Unrecognizable Role in Upcoming A24 Film

Acclaimed actor Dwayne Johnson is renowned for several roles that flex his alpha persona or showcase his comedic side. However, Johnson insists his leading role in The Smashing Machine allowed him to reach new career heights, challenging him like never before.

Speaking with GQ, Johnson shared his biggest motivations for making The Smashing Machine, A24’s upcoming sports drama chronicling the life and career of mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr. Johnson, who portrays the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star, insists he wanted to do something outside his comfort zone and “disappear into a character.” Additionally, Johnson claimed playing Kerr allowed him to “challenge myself in ways that I hadn’t been challenged.“

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Johnson was announced for The Smashing Machine last December. The wrestler-turned-actor worked alongside director Benny Safdie and his Oscar-nominated Jungle Cruise co-star, Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. Blunt, who encouraged him to persist with the feature-length project, noted Johnson wanted to explore new avenues in his career, saying, “I think he’d been feeling a fatigue at being the person that everyone expects him to be. I think that idea that he wasn’t immune to wanting something else, you know? There was a fatigue there with how he was going about things.”

I think he’d been feeling a fatigue at being the person that everyone expects him to be.

Meanwhile, Johnson felt The Smashing Machine was worth doing because it’s a film “where the material is deeper, it allows me to sink my teeth into something deeper, richer.”

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The Smashing Machine chronicles Johnson’s Kerr in the year 2000, looking at his accomplished career and his struggles with fame, including substance abuse, issues with his home life and the pressure of competition. Filming took place between May and August in Vancouver, with Johnson fully committing to the lead role to the point he suffered a shoulder injury following a scene. The upcoming biographical drama was also written by Safdie, who co-produced the project with Johnson.

Dwayne Johnson’s Newest Movie Is Red One

Johnson is promoting his latest film, the Christmas-themed Red One, which features him alongside Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Chris Evans and Spider-Man franchise notable J.K. Simmons. Red One boasts a hefty $250 million budget, having made back $26 million since its opening in international theaters this past weekend. However, early reviews largely panned the holiday movie, which centers around rescuing a kidnapped Santa Claus.

Meanwhile, Johnson stars in the anticipated Moana 2, reprising his role as the shapeshifting demigod, Maui, in the animated adventure sequel. Along with Moana 2, which is on track for a huge Thanksgiving opening return, Johnson is working on a live-action Moana film.

The Smashing Machine is set to make its theatrical debut in 2025.

Source: GQ

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