A24
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The first trailer for The Smashing Machine, the Benny Safdie directed Mark Kerr biopic starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, has been released. The film represents The Rock’s first time starring in a non-action/blockbuster-orientated in over a decade.
The Rock stars in The Smashing Machine as famed mixed martial artist and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, who was also an NCAA Division 1 and wrestling World Cup champion. Kerr made his UFC debut at UFC 14 in Birmingham, Alabama on July 27, 1997.
A 2002 HBO documentary, also titled The Smashing Machine, detailed Kerr’s career, struggles with substance abuse, and relationships with his girlfriends, training partners, and fellow UFC fighter with Mark Coleman. It appears as though the film will be taking on a similar structure.
In addition to the first trailer, which you can watch below, A24 also shared the official, yet simple, synopsis for the film, which hits theaters on October 3:
“The story of legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr.”
“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 said about the decision to starr as Kerr when the project was announced.
Alongside The Rock, The Smashing Machine also stars Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s then-girlfriend. Additional cast members include former UFC fighters Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.
The Smashing Machine represents Benny Safdie’s first high-profile solo directorial effort, having previously helmed the acclaimed films Good Time and Uncut Gems alongside his brother Josh Safdie.
Josh Safdie is also hard at work on a highly-anticipated A24 film, as he directed the upcoming Timothee Chalamet-starring ping-pong movie Marty Supreme, which also releases later this year.
As for The Rock, he also looks set to continue his return to dramatic work beyond just The Smashing Machine as he’s also attached to a Martin Scorsese helmed Hawaii-set crime movie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Blunt.