Dwayne Johnson crushes stereotypes with the A24 feature ”The crushing machine. “The actor, who will also start in Martin Scorseses Hawaii Set True Crime Mob Dramafirst make his indie debut with Benny Safdie’s Biopics about UFC Legend Mark Kerr. Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, bass route and Oleksandr Usyk co -star.
Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions acquired the rights to “The Smashing Machine” in 2019. A24 later joined a partner in 2023. Johnson and Dany Garcias Seven Bucks Productions produce together with Safdie’s Out for the Count Banner, Eli Bush, Hiram. The film Marks Safdie’s First Solo director San’s brother Josh Safdie; Benny Safdie also wrote the script based on Kerr’s real history and RISE in the UFC. According to the first announcement of A24, Johnson’s most dramatic projects, but MMA Fighter Kerr’s career peak during the “No-Holds-Barred era of the UFC” 2000, followed a twice UFC-heavy tournament champion concerned with an addiction to an addict. Kerr was previously the subject of the 2002 documentary, entitled “The Smashing Machine”, which detailed his MMA career battle in Vale Tudo, UFC and Pride.
Safdie told me earlier GQ That Johnson gives a career best tour like Kerr.
“You really understand the fear, the love, the grief, the happiness,” Safdie said. “If someone is open to doing it and talking about that, they will be able to give a Good performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I do not know if many give him that opportunity. “
Johnson added, “It’s such a psychological thing here. But you know, from the moment I go out of my house I can’t hide. But in a way, when I could disappear in a movie like” Smashing Machine‘ And some of the other things now that we develop, where it allows me to disappear, with a Benny again or an A24 … man, I love it. “
Johnson also told variation that while he is not “abandon (ing) Big, four quadrant movies“He seems to have” more “for his career.” I want more humanity. And that’s why Benny Safdie is the perfect, cooperative, hungry partner for me, “he said.” Benny wants to create and continues to drive the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are genuine and sometimes uncomfortable and arresting. I am at a point in my career where I want to run myself in ways that I have not driven myself before. I am at a point in my career where I want to make films that mean something, exploring humanity and explores struggle (and) pain. ”
“The Smashing Machine” premieres in theaters on October 3 from A24. Check out the trailer below.
