Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has opened up about why he chose to star in The Smashing Machine, a film that had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
The 53-year-old, widely known for his wrestling career and blockbuster action roles, said he felt the need to push past Hollywood’s expectations. “The box office can be loud—it can put you in a corner,” he explained. “I enjoyed making those movies, some did really well, some didn’t. But I had this burning desire, this voice saying: what if there’s more? What if I can do more?”
In The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, Johnson takes on the role of Mark Kerr, a former MMA champion whose life was marked by both success and struggle. Unlike Johnson’s usual larger-than-life heroes, Kerr is a layered character—a gentle yet troubled fighter battling addiction and a turbulent relationship with his ex-wife Dawn, played by Emily Blunt.
“This film isn’t really about fighting—it’s a love story,” Johnson said. He also revealed he trained and bulked up for the part, following Safdie’s vision for the character.
Blunt, who had previously co-starred with Johnson in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, praised his performance. “Seeing him completely disappear into Mark was extraordinary—it changed the air in the room,” she told reporters. Johnson, in turn, credited Blunt as a close friend who encouraged him to take the leap.
Mark Kerr himself attended the festival and expressed his admiration for Johnson’s work. “It’s almost impossible to describe the detail that went into this film,” he said. “My 20-year-old son watched it and couldn’t believe what he saw.”
The Smashing Machine is competing among 21 films for the coveted Golden Lion, which will be awarded at the close of the Venice Film Festival.
