ARTICLE AD BOX
A month ago, the trailer for the anticipated movie The Smashing Machine was released, which brings a drastic transformation of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the role of Mark Kerr, a true martial arts pioneer known by the nickname The Smashing Machine.
The film, directed by Benny Safdie, follows the rise and inner struggle of the MMA legend who marked the early days of the UFC and Japanese Pride.
The peak of Kerr's MMA career was in the late 1990s, when he dominated the UFC and Japan Pride thanks to his raw power, superior wrestling technique and aggressive style.
He got the nickname The Smashing Machine because of his brutal fighting tactics that literally "smashed" his opponents. Yet Kerr simultaneously waged an internal battle with painkiller addiction, depression, and the pressures of fame.
For Johnson, this is a significant departure from the action films he has dominated for more than a decade. Instead of spectacular explosions and light lines, here he gets a chance to show acting depth and vulnerability, and some are already speculating that this role could bring him his first Oscar nomination. Among them is UFC president Dana White, who stated that Johnson "killed this role" and that he knows how much this project means to him.
Emily Blunt stars
Emily Blunt stars as Kerr's then-wife Dawn, and is joined by a number of real-life fighters in supporting roles, including Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk.
The film promises an authentic depiction of martial arts, not only through physical challenges, but also through psychological struggles outside the ring.
The famous wrestler and actor has been an important figure in the world of Hollywood for years. After the transition from the world of wrestling to the world of film, many were skeptical whether Dwayne could be an equally important figure and dominant persona in the world of acting.
The Rock convinced the critics that he really is a top actor, and a man who has enormous talent.
English (US) ·