Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will star as UFC and PRIDE legend Mark Kerr in a biopic called “The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24 and Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a long-time MMA enthusiast, is finally getting a chance to step into the cage. Well, sort of.
The ex-WWE superstar, now a Hollywood big shot, has officially agreed to play the role of UFC and PRIDE legend Mark Kerr. The movie is a biopic titled The Smashing Machine. The indie favorite, A24, will be producing the film. Benny Safdie, known for his award-winning film Uncut Gems, is set to direct.
Safdie is also tasked with writing the script. Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and A24 have been developing this project for years. A24 is also financing the movie.
A24’s Noah Sacco was quoted saying, “Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying.” He added, “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”
The Smashing Machine isn’t a new title. It was the name of a 2002 HBO documentary about Kerr. Kerr, a two-time UFC tournament champion and PRIDE Fighting Championships regular, battled addiction to painkillers and other substances during his career. The documentary also featured other MMA legends like Mark Coleman and Bas Rutten.
The upcoming film marks Safdie’s first solo directing gig. He’s previously worked with his brother Josh on numerous projects. Recently, Safdie has been dabbling in acting. He appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and the Showtime series The Curse, where he stars alongside Emma Stone.
A24 has a track record of producing Oscar-winning films. They’re the studio behind Everything, Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight. Both films won Best Picture Academy Awards.