The Rock is unrecognizable as a legendary UFC fighter in new The Smashing Machine trailer
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was unrecognizable in a new trailer for his latest film The Smashing Machine.
The actor, who paid sweet tribute to his canine costar from Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, portrays UFC great Mark Kerr in the new preview released on Tuesday.
To embody the part of the former wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, 56, Johnson, 52, wore a dark wig and had facial prosthetics applied to make him look like Kerr's twin.
When the trailer begins, Kerr is sitting in a doctor's office waiting room with noticeable welts around his eyes.
'Probably looking at my eyes,' he says to a woman there with a young boy in a surprising soft and calm voice.
'How did that happen?' she asks. After a quick cut to some violent pummeling in the rings, Kerr asks, 'Well, have you ever heard of the Ultimate Fighting Championship? The UFC?'
'That's the bloody thing they're trying to ban,' she answered adding, 'Do you hate each other when you fight? Absolutely not.' Johnson's Kerr answers.
The A24 clips also shows Emily Blunt as Kerr's then-wife Dawn, supporting him, but finding it often difficult as the fighter sustains painful injuries and turns to pain killers to get by.
'It's 40-thousand people cheering you on,' says Kerr to Dawn, 'there's no other high like it in the world.'
'Excited to share the official trailer for Benny Safdie's THE SMASHING MACHINE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt. In theaters October 3rd,' A24 and Johnson posted next to the trailer on social media.
'Whoever did the prosthetics and make up for this movie is getting an Oscar. I hear the Rock kind of but I don't see him at all. Sheesh that's (fire emoji)' wrote an enthusiastic fan.
'One of the greatest honours of my career was being a part of this project. October 3rd couldn't come fast enough!' wrote ring announce Ryan Ventura, who is an actual ring announcer.
'Now this is the Actor ROCK we want❤️ Oscars 2026,' predicted a fan.
'Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt teaming up again is my favorite collaboration of the year,' wrote another.
When the trailer begins, Kerr is sitting in a doctor's office waiting room with noticeable welts around his eyes. 'Probably looking at my eyes,' he says to a woman there with a young boy in a surprising soft and calm voice
To embody the part of the former wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, 56, Johnson, 52, wore a dark wig and had facial prosthetics applied to make him look like Kerr's twin
'Respect to @therock and Emily Bunt. always giving us amazing stuff,' was another complementary comment.
Johnson and Blunt, 42, became good friends when they starred together in Disney's Jungle Cruise, and have signed on for a sequel. They have also signed to star in the action hero film Ball and Chain.
The Smashing Machine's October 3 release date means it will be out in plenty of time for awards consideration.
Distributor A24 was the force behind the Oscar winning films Everything Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight.
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