Dwayne Johnson is finally stepping into a role perfectly suited to his talents. Throughout his acting career, the wrestler-turned-actor has proven his versatility by venturing into various genres. However, he has been renowned for his action roles for some time now. Johnson’s next role is expected to not only deliver his best performance yet but could also lead to an Oscar nomination.
The actor will be seen portraying Mark Kerr, a two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Tournament Heavyweight Champion. Johnson is taking the lead role in “The Smashing Machine,” helmed by Benny Safdie. The film is being made under the production banner of A24, which has bestowed the film industry with several quality films.
What Makes Dwayne Johnson’s Upcoming Role a Potential Oscar Contender?
Dwayne Johnson is currently one of the most in-demand actors in the film industry, given his busy schedule lately. The actor is once again back in the ring—but this time, not as a wrestler but as a UFC Heavyweight Champion. Johnson’s upcoming film, “The Smashing Machine,” will see him portray the role of UFC icon Mark Kerr. He is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist who has received top honors in his niche.
Since his story will now be told on the big screen, it garnered the attention of Dana White, the President and CEO of UFC, a man who knows both the subject of the movie and its star very well. Being a veteran of the UFC world, White perceives that the film has the potential to propel Johnson to even greater heights than just one of the biggest movie stars in the world.
During a recent interview with Collider, White was asked if he believed that the film would not only accurately represent the full picture of what it is to be a fighter but also make those watching curious to find out more about the sport. To which White responded descriptively while also mentioning Johnson’s recent Instagram post where he uploaded a video discussing an injury he’d suffered while training MMA for the film, an injury which turned out to be a burst bursa sac — and left a gnarly bruise. White emphasized that the toll taken by Johnson for this project would be rewarded by his peers.
He said, “I don’t know if you saw it, but he was showing on his Instagram the other day that he messed up his elbow. The Rock will kill this. He will nail this role. I know how seriously he’s taking this, I know who’s working with him, and I know how hard he’s working on this film. I think that this could be the opportunity for The Rock to actually be nominated for an Oscar.”
What makes White so certain about Johnson’s performance in the film is the fact that the actor has entirely engrossed himself in his role in such a way that the audience can feel the authenticity in every scene. Another crucial factor that adds to Johnson’s character in the movie is the prosthetics and make-up applied to Johnson, as shown in the first image released, which makes him almost unrecognizable. White said, “He’s taken this very seriously. This has been a passion project for him for a while, and he has 100% of the support from the UFC. Obviously, he’s a friend of mine, and this is his chance for an Oscar.”
This isn’t the first time a movie has been made about Kerr. In 2002, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary titled “The Smashing Machine,” which detailed his MMA career fighting in Vale Tudo, the UFC, and PRIDE. “The Smashing Machine” also focused on Kerr’s struggle with substance abuse, his relationships with his then-girlfriend, various training partners, and his friendship with Mark Coleman. It is directed by John Hyams.
As for the upcoming Dwayne Johnson-starring film, “The Smashing Machine,” it will open in theaters next year.
