WWE Superstar is Almost Unrecognizable as Troubled MMA Icon in Upcoming Film
is trading in his action-hero swagger for bruises, blood, and brutal honesty in The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie.
In an image shared on Instagram, Johnson appears in character as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, complete with facial prosthetics, a receding hairline, and a hauntingly worn expression.
Johnson also shared that the film will have its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival this fall.
'This is all very surreal, and humbling thank you all for your incredibly warm support for our film,' he wrote in the caption. 'See you soon Venice.'
The Smashing Machine chronicles the life and battles of Mark Kerr — a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion whose career was marked not only by victory, but by personal struggles with addiction and painkiller dependency.
The film is slated for release in October 2025 and is already generating early Oscar buzz.
In an April interview with Variety, Johnson opened up about the significance of the role and his collaboration with Safdie.
'Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting,' he said at the time. '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.'
Do you smell what the Rock is cooking? Perhaps it's an Oscar or two.
WWE Superstar is Almost Unrecognizable as Troubled MMA Icon in Upcoming Film first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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