Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s next movie is easily his most exciting in years and could signal a new chapter in his career. Johnson has become one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but it was a long road to get there. He made his acting debut with a cameo in 2001’s The Mummy Returns, but while he was tipped as the natural successor to stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, most of the early Dwayne Johnson movies – like 2005’s Doom adaptation – underperformed. He eventually transitioned to children’s comedies and scene-stealing supporting roles in the likes of The Other Guys, before receiving a glorious movie star rebirth with 2011’s Fast Five.
There’s rarely been a more perfect casting than Johnson as Luke Hobbs, and in addition to returning for more Fast & Furious movies, he soon led a string of box-office smashes. Johnson’s ascent to stardom was partly due to a strict formula he followed, but over time, this resulted in diminishing returns and mediocre movies like Red Notice. He had big plans for Black Adam and his role in the DCU, but once that superhero movie bombed, it became clear he needed to reassess his choice of roles.
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Dwayne Johnson Will Play Mark Kerr In The Smashing Machine
It was recently confirmed (via Deadline) that Johnson is teaming with Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie for The Smashing Machine, a biopic about legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson and Safdie have been developing this movie since 2019, which recounts Kerr’s rise and fall, including becoming a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion before his various injuries and addictions got the better of him. Kerr was the subject of an acclaimed HBO documentary also titled The Smashing Machine, after Kerr’s nickname; this doc was also helmed by future Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning director John Hyams.
The Smashing Machine Could Be A Career-Change Movie For The Rock
Kerr’s story is both uplifting and tragic, and Johnson is great casting for this biopic. After nearly a decade of The Rock playing thinly veiled riffs on his own persona, The Smashing Machine will push him to portray a very different character. Kerr himself is a soft-spoken, shy figure, and miles away from the hyper-confident roles Johnson has become known for. In truth, this shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the actor, since he’s shown in the past with projects like Pain & Gain he has hidden depths as an actor.
Johnson’s teaming with Benny Safdie also ensures the film won’t be a watered-down, audience-friendly retelling of Kerr’s story. Johnson has been in dire need of reinvention for some time since he spent a decade sticking close to the roles he felt comfortable in. In his defense, the majority of these films were major hits, but the lack of variety or risks on his part eventually saw audiences grow bored with his output.
This new project could be a sign Johnson will pair his blockbuster roles with smaller, more personal projects that let him exercise some range as a performer. The Smashing Machine is the first indication in many years he’s willing to work with an auteur filmmaker on a movie that ticks few of the boxes most of his recent output has. Time will tell if Dwayne Johnson’s gamble was worth it, but it’s still a more exciting project for him than Red One or a live-action Moana.
