Dwayne Johnson Shares His Unbelievable Transformation for The Smashing Machine

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s The Smashing Machine film went into full hype mode this week with the discharge of the official trailer, however behind the cameras, the previous WWE Champion has put himself by brutal MMA coaching and handled damage to painting Mark Kerr. Right here’s why M&F is happy for DJ’s most difficult position to this point.

Earlier than principal images for The Smashing Machine even started in Could 2024, Johnson was balancing MMA coaching with a return to skilled wrestling. As “The Closing Boss,” The Rock electrified WWE followers as soon as once more at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, however quickly pivoted his consideration again on being Mark Kerr, the collegiate wrestling standout and two-time UFC Heavyweight Event Champion.  The fighter, who additionally excelled in World Vale Tudo and Delight FC, would endure the struggles of substance abuse and psychological well being points, changing into the topic of a HBO documentary that helped to encourage the film. Eerily, Kerr had childhood desires of changing into a professional wrestler, whereas Johnson all the time questioned how he would truthful within the Octagon.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Took on His Difficult Function But for ‘The Smashing Machine’

Immersing himself in his most mentally and bodily difficult position but, Johnson launched into a coaching regime that included MMA staples like placing and grappling. Actually, the “Most electrifying man in sports activities leisure” even received to combine it up with Kerr himself with the intention to channel probably the most genuine portrayal potential. It is usually recognized that the actor spent many hours sweating it out on the famend health club, Black Home MMA in California.

Johnson has admitted that the coaching was extraordinarily powerful, and that whereas he felt good about his progress, the professional wrestling star was “removed from glad” along with his method within the early going. Nonetheless, day-to-day, DJ remained a pupil of the sport. He additionally labored with Kerr’s former MMA rival and good friend, Mark Coleman, additional contributing to the authenticity of the story. “What a pleasure,” mentioned Coleman of his interactions with the film star. “Very sort, humble man. The aura round him is one thing particular. He’s actually a large in so some ways.”

The shoot wasn’t with out its slip-ups, nonetheless. “Any time your movie is known as ‘The Smashing Machine’, properly, you’re going to get smashed up,” shared The Rock in an Instagram publish detailing a grotesque elbow damage sustained in fight. “I received banged up fairly good as we speak.”

Fortuitously, the laborious work might properly repay for Johnson. The early buzz round his unimaginable transformation to play Kerr has received The Smashing Machine’s publicity machine off to an awesome begin. The mission can also be directed by the award-winning Benny Safdie, who was praised for his work on Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler. UFC President Dana White has additionally mentioned he believes Johnson needs to be up for an Oscar nomination based mostly on his dedication to the position.

Whereas the film itself is just not set to be launched till October 2025, many critics suppose that this might be a major step within the evolution of DJ’s appearing profession. Fortuitously, the gravity of The Smashing Machine is just not misplaced on the loveable film star. “A real honor for me to pay homage and respect to this legendary MMA Godfather, all MMA fighters, the MMA neighborhood, and all our athletes who’ve struggled with psychological well being and dependancy,” concludes Johnson of his lifechanging expertise making The Smashing Machine.

Watch the official trailer for The Smashing Machine