Dwayne Johnson steps into UFC legend Mark Kerr’s world in The Smashing Machine, exploring both the fighter and the man behind the battles.

Speaking with Deadline on Monday, September 29, on the red carpet of the premiere in Los Angeles, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, the 53-year-old star shared that he was drawn to "something unique" in Mark’s story, the same spark that was recognised by writer/director Benny Safdie and co-star Emily Blunt, convincing them to join the A24 film.

 "Fighting just happened to be what he did, and he was awesome at it. But it’s not a fight movie, it’s a life movie," he clarified. 

Dwayne embodies Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, which takes audiences to the late 90s, following the former wrestler from an undefeated MMA run to a sudden, heartbreaking downfall fueled by pain killer addiction and overdoses, before his hard fought comeback that defined his legacy.

"Mark Kerr’s life represents so much of everyone around the world, but not ‘oh, he’s the greatest fighter on the planet,’ but more so ‘oh, he struggled with pressure and how to deal with pressure,'” the Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle star stated. 

Continuing, "And he struggled with pain, and he struggled with how to deal with addiction. And he got hit hard. At one point, he was the greatest fighter on the planet, and then he lost. And he had a hard time reconciling with that loss."

"He overdosed twice; he’s lucky to be alive, and I’m so happy that he is alive. Because as you know, films like this where they’re a bio film, a lot of times, the main subject isn’t alive, he’s not around, or she’s not around. So, I’m so thankful that he is,” he added.

The  biographical sports drama released on October 3, 2025.