Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has undergone a striking transformation to step into the role of Mark Kerr for A24’s forthcoming biopic, ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Kerr, a former wrestler and MMA star, rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Johnson’s portrayal captures Kerr’s battles not only within the ring but also against drug addiction and marital problems that plagued his personal life.
The recently released image of Johnson as Kerr showcases a departure from his iconic tattoos and ripped physique. Instead, he appears with a full head of hair, sitting in a ring corner as trainers tend to him. Johnson’s co-star, Emily Blunt, appears in the image, portraying Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples.
‘The Smashing Machine’ marks a significant departure for Johnson, who has predominantly starred in big-budget blockbusters in recent years. This role marks one of his first dramatic performances in over a decade. The film is directed by Benny Safdie, marking his solo feature directorial debut, and is currently in production without an official release date.
In HBO’s documentary, ‘The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr,’ Kerr’s life was previously explored. ‘The Smashing Machine’ offers a cinematic retelling of Kerr’s fascinating journey, chronicling his struggles with addiction, love, friendship, and the pursuit of victory in the year 2000.
