Dwayne Johnson Looks Unrecognizable as UFC Legend in 'Smashing Machine' Trailer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
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After months of promotional build up, we finally have a trailer for "The Smashing Machine", the sports biopic starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as UFC legend Mark Kerr. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr's then-wife Dawn Staples. You can watch the trailer below, and count how many times you can barely recognize Dwayne Johnson.
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"The Smashing Machine" actually started its life as a 2002 HBO documentary of the same name directed by John Hyams. The doc chronicled Kerr's mixed martial arts career as well as his addiction to painkillers.
Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine".
Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine".
A24
Following his success in Brazil's World Vale Tudo Championship, Kerr was invited to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he won the UFC 14 Heavyweight tournament title by defeating Dan Bobish after a little more than a minute and a half. He would go on to likewise win the UFC 15 championship after a similarly swift defeat of Dwayne Cason.
After UFC 15, Kerr went to Japan to participate in their Pride Fighting Championships. Initially meeting with some success, a number of big losses convinced Kerr to take a break. Returning in 2004 for Pride 27, Kerr was soundly defeated by Yoshisha Yamamoto.
Kerr made attempts at numerous comebacks between 2006 and 2009, none of which lasted long. By 2019 Kerr was separated from Dawn Staples, working at a Toyota dealership, and a GoFundMe had been set up for him to help with medical costs to help combat his peripheral neuropathy.
As for Dwayne Johnson, "The Rock" always has a full plated including starring in the live-action "Moana". Johnson originated the voice role of the demi-god Maui in the 2016 animated film and he's returning to play the character in the live-action remake. He's also expected to return as Hobbs in "Fast X: Part 2" as well as his own spinoff film; something in the vein of 2019's "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw". There are also sequels in development for "Jungle Cruise" and "San Andreas".
Emily Blunt will presumably be joining Johnsons both in "Jungle Cruise 2" and in whatever untitled Hawaiian crime drama Martin Scorsese has cast them both in. She's also expected to return to the role of Emily in "The Devil Wears Prada 2".
"The Smashing Machine" is written and directed by Benny Safdie. The film releases in theaters October 3, 2025.
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