Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has played many characters throughout his career, but his newest film is set to show the actor in a way we’ve never seen him before. Johnson is set to star as former collegiate wrestling champion and UFC pioneer Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine,” a new biopic.
It’s a major departure for Johnson, who has typically taken on action or comedy roles throughout his career. It’s been a lucrative career for the former professional wrestler, who is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
In order to take on this new role, Johnson says that he had to lean on one of his closest friends – one who happens to star alongside him in the film.
What Challenges Did The Actor Face?
In an interview with Vanity Fair,Johnson explained that his friendship with co-star Emily Blunt allowed for the “vulnerability”the role required.
“If Emily and I weren’t best friends, I don’t know that we could’ve gone to the places we went to,” Johnson told Vanity Fair. “That closeness created the trust, which then allowed for the vulnerability, which then allowed for [us to] go anywhere.”
Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s former wife, in the film. She said that Johnson was able to completely “immerse” himself into the role of Kerr, truly becoming a different person when he was on set.
“It seemed to be an effortless immersion — like a full disappearance, spooky. From day one, he was elsewhere,” the actress said.
“It was such a beautiful thing to watch this person let go of having to be an image, of having to be The Rock, and crack himself in half for this role.”
Blunt also explained that even as a veteran actress, she had to adjust to playing a person who was still living. “I’m very grateful to her,” said the “Oppenheimer” star.
“I just needed to be her advocate.”
Johnson, Blunt and director Benny Safdie noted that they wanted to introduce a different portrayal of Kerr’s former wife. Johnson specifically noted that a documentary on Kerr’s life “painted Dawn in a light that perhaps was a little unfair.”
What Did Mark Kerr Accomplish?
Mark Kerr won a Division I NCAA championship as a collegiate wrestler for Syracuse. He went on to become a gold and silver medalist in freestyle wrestling at the Pan American Games, and was one of the UFC’s first champions.
Kerr competed in the early days of the promotion, when it held one-night tournaments between multiple fighters. He won two of those events – UFC 14 and UFC 15 – while competing in the heavyweight class. Kerr also competed in the legendary PRIDE FC in Japan.
The film will cover several aspects of Kerr’s life, including his triumphs in the octagon as well as the strained relationships and substance abuse that clouded a great deal of his past.
“The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, is set to release in theaters on October 3.
