Dwayne Johnson impresses in the Smashing Machine clips. Could this be his moment at the Oscars?

      The Smashing Machine | Official Trailer HD | A24

      For three decades, Dwayne Johnson has captivated audiences as The Rock in the WWE. Leveraging his background in professional wrestling, Johnson portrays former MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24's biopic The Smashing Machine.

      In the official trailer, Johnson's character Kerr states, “Winning is the best feeling in the world. It’s 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.”

      Kerr gained recognition in the late 1990s after winning the UFC Heavyweight Tournament Championship twice. He faced many tough opponents in mixed martial arts. However, his most significant battles were outside the ring as he grappled with substance abuse and addiction. The true story of Kerr's life is explored in the HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.

      Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s girlfriend and future wife. Other cast members include Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.

      Benny Safdie makes his solo directorial debut with The Smashing Machine, having gained fame for directing Good Time and Uncut Gems with his brother Josh. The film's producers include Johnson, Safdie, David Koplan, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and Eli Bush.

      A24

      The Smashing Machine marks a tonal shift for Johnson. Now approaching 53, he is widely recognized for his roles in franchises and blockbuster films such as Moana, Red Notice, Black Adam, Hobbs & Shaw, and Jumanji. Johnson's recent live-action film, Red One, was a box office failure before it found success on Prime Video.

      This project represents Johnson's effort to take on a more prestigious role. It is a smaller, character-focused film set for an awards season release. The Academy often honors physical transformations requiring heavy prosthetics, but since Johnson has never been nominated, it is unlikely he will receive an Oscar nod.

      Nonetheless, Johnson appears eager to shift his career path and collaborate with more distinguished filmmakers. He is set to star in a Martin Scorsese Hawaiian crime drama alongside Blunt and Leonardo DiCaprio.

      Dan is a passionate and skilled content creator experienced in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout…

      Red One trailer: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans team up to save a kidnapped Santa

      In the first trailer for Red One, a new action comedy from Amazon MGM Studios, Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans join forces to rescue Santa Claus. Johnson plays Callum Drift, the commander of the E.L.F., responsible for protecting Santa (J. K. Simmons), who is codenamed RED ONE. This version of Santa is strong and fit, a departure from the usual portrayal of a plump, merry figure. After Santa is abducted from the North Pole Complex, Callum's team enlists Jack O'Malley, the world's best tracker and a "Level 4 Naughty Lister." Callum and Jack must set aside their differences to locate Santa and save Christmas.

      Dwayne Johnson is The Smashing Machine in a first look at the MMA drama

      Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, is famous for his broad smile, chiseled physique, and distinctive tattoos. However, Johnson has drastically altered his look to embody Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. A24 has unveiled the first image of Johnson as Kerr, a former wrestler and MMA fighter who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Despite earning a living in the ring, Kerr faced his toughest challenges outside the sport due to struggles with addiction and marital issues. In the image, Johnson appears without tattoos and with a full head of hair, sitting in the ring's corner while trainers attend to him.

      “The Smashing Machine follows Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career,” the official synopsis describes. “He struggles with addiction, success, love, and friendship in the year 2000.” Kerr's intriguing life was previously depicted in HBO's documentary, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson is joined in The Smashing Machine by Emily Blunt, who can be seen in the bottom-right corner of the image looking towards Kerr. Blunt plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. "While trying to establish a life together, she strives to find her place within Mark’s chaotic and contradictory world," according to A24. Blunt and Johnson previously worked together in 2021's Jungle Cruise.

      The Smashing Machine marks a significant change in direction for Johnson. In the past five years, the WWE icon has largely appeared in big-budget blockbusters, including Black Adam, Red Notice, Jumanji: The Next Level, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. The Smashing Machine represents one of Johnson's first