‘The Smashing Machine’ First Look: Dwayne Johnson Transforms into MMA Icon Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s A24 Drama
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director Dwayne Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the first look at his upcoming A24 drama “The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie and co-starring his “Jungle Cruise” screen partner Emily Blunt.
The film casts Johnson as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who struggled with addiction and his marriage while becoming an icon of the sport.
Blunt is starring as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife. The film is currently in production. While Johnson looks typically ripped as Kerr in “The Smashing Machine” first look, he also appears to be sporting some facial prosthetics to help him transform into the MMA legend.
Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner. Over the course of his career, he won over two dozen MMA titles. “The Smashing Machine” marks the solo feature directorial debut of Safdie, who collaborated with his brother Josh on A24’s indie hits such as “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems.” Benny acted alongside Blunt in Christopher Nolan’s “Opppenheimer.” Johnson and Safdie first connected on the project in 2019 but fell out of touch and put the film on hold due to the pandemic.
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