The Rock is set to play as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24‘s “The Smashing Machine”
Having been regarded as an actor who only ever plays as himself, and criticized for a clause in his contract that prevents him from ever losing onscreen—Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is no doubt a household name, but a celebrated star regarded for his acting chops—maybe not so much.
The wrestler-turned-action star has made a name for himself as one of the industry’s top leading actors. He has taken the helm alongside Vin Diesel of “The Fast and the Furious” franchise (which just won’t end), and has taken the starring role in a number of blockbusters such as, “Black Adam,” “Jumanji,” and “Red Notice.”
However, looking at his numerous appearances, nothing much differentiates his performances from one another. Some cannot even distinguish his films. Perhaps another case of typecasting, The Rock seems to always get the call to play the all-powerful and borderline-immortal hero that can surpass all before him, be it man, nature, or God. And while it makes for interesting action scenes, it can get quite predictable and stale.
Fellow wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista is an example of someone who has broken out of this industry-perpetuated-loop. Opting to leave behind his role as Drax in the highly successful “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise in the MCU, he had this to say, “And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy – it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff.”
He has since done so, playing the conflicted gentle giant in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin,” and the eccentric block-headed Duke in Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”
Taking a page out of Bautista’s book, Johnson is set to take on his most challenging role yet as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24‘s “The Smashing Machine.”
“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. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
The film, directed and written by Benny Safdie, follows Kerr’s fighting career as well as his personal struggles, including his known addiction to painkillers.
Kerr is a former wrestler and mixed martial artist. He was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner among other accolades.
According to Variety, Johnson said. “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. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
The Rock added, “I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies. I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them] … but there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more. And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity. And that is why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner for me.”