UFC pioneer Mark Kerr’s tumultuous journey through the early days of mixed martial arts is set to captivate audiences in the upcoming biopic “The Smashing Machine,” featuring a transformed Dwayne Johnson in what many are calling his most dramatic role to date.
Kerr, now 56, earned his intimidating nickname “The Smashing Machine” through his devastating fighting style during MMA’s formative years, when fighters often competed multiple times in a single night. The Ohio native’s remarkable career included four first-round stoppage wins at UFC 14 and UFC 15 in 1997, with his longest bout lasting just 133 seconds.
However, the film delves beyond Kerr’s octagon dominance to explore his harrowing struggle with painkiller addiction, which culminated in a life-threatening overdose in 1999. The biopic draws inspiration from the acclaimed 2002 HBO documentary of the same name that chronicled Kerr’s rise, fall, and personal demons during the “no holds barred” era of early MMA.
The first trailer, released this week, reveals Johnson’s startling physical transformation for the role, rendering the normally recognizable action star almost unrecognizable. Fans and critics alike have expressed shock at Johnson’s new appearance, with one YouTube commenter noting, “I didn’t even recognize Dwayne,” while another added, “It seriously took me half the trailer to even realize it was The Rock. Incredible.”
Johnson stars alongside Emily Blunt, who portrays Kerr’s then-girlfriend Dawn Staples. The pair previously collaborated on Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” but “The Smashing Machine” represents a significant departure into more dramatic territory for both actors. Adding authenticity to the film, undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk makes his acting debut as Ukrainian MMA icon Igor Vovchanchyn, who fought Kerr twice during his career.
The film marks the solo directorial debut of Benny Safdie, known for co-directing critically acclaimed crime dramas “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems” with his brother. Johnson has spoken enthusiastically about working with Safdie, telling Variety earlier this year: “Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting.”
For Johnson, who retired from professional wrestling with a 15-11 record, the project represents a conscious pivot toward more challenging roles. “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past,” he explained. “I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity and explore struggle and pain.” The actor was quick to clarify, however, that this doesn’t signal “an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies.”
Blunt, who received her first Oscar nomination for “Oppenheimer” last year, described the production as “an incredibly immersive, very intense, very emotional experience” and praised Safdie as “a very cool, aesthetically exciting, visual director.”
With a reported budget of $40 million, “The Smashing Machine” positions itself as an ambitious indie project that could potentially earn awards consideration for its stars. The film is scheduled for release in both the US and UK on October 3.
For MMA fans and those familiar with Kerr’s story, the film promises to shed light on one of the sport’s most compelling early competitors, whose achievements in the cage were matched only by his personal battles outside it.
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UFC Legend Mark Kerr’s Dramatic Life Story Comes to Screen with Dwayne Johnson in Lead Role
UFC pioneer Mark Kerr's tumultuous journey through the early days of mixed martial arts is set to captivate audiences in the upcoming biopic "The Smashing Machine," featuring a transformed Dwayne Johnson in what many are calling his most dramatic role to date. Kerr, now 56, earned his intimidating nickname "The Smashing Machine" through his devastating fighting style during MMA's formative years, when fighters often competed multiple times in a single night. The Ohio native's remarkable career included four first-round stoppage wins at UFC 14 and UFC 15 in 1997, with his longest bout lasting just 133 seconds. However, the film delves beyond Kerr's octagon dominance to explore his harrowing struggle with painkiller addiction, which culminated in a life-threatening overdose in 1999. The biopic draws inspiration from the acclaimed 2002 HBO documentary of the same name that chronicled Kerr's rise, fall, […]
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