Dwane 'The Rock' Johnson likes to spar with Scottish fighters to get in shape for his most physical roles
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has revealed he likes to spar with Scottish fighters to get in shape for his most physical roles.
The former WWE star's latest film The Smashing Machine – a biopic of MMA legend Mark Kerr – is released later this year.
He told the Sunday Mail: 'I have wrestled against Scots, trained with them, watched them compete in strong man competitions – they don't mess about, they're tough.
'They are a proper warrior nation. They have been competing in Highland events. It's in their blood.
'Any time I needed to get into shape for the ring or for a movie I would train with Scots without even thinking about it. I know they won't go easy on me and sometimes that's just what you need.'
The ex-wrestler said he has been training with 'the best' UFC fighters and coaches to do the role justice.
Last year, Johnson, who was the highest- earning film star after earning £71million, called in Scots wrestling stars Mark Coffey, Joe Coffey and Wolfgang to help him prepare for a return to the ring for the first time in eight years.
The Glasgow trio, known as Gallus, were flown to the star's LA home to help him get into shape.
Johnson said: 'They definitely lived up to their tough reputation. They worked me hard and didn't go at all easy on me.'
Johnson is also close friends with his Scots Jumanji film series co-star Karen Gillan after they bonded on set copying each other's accents.
The actor's role as Mark Kerr is inspired by a 2002 documentary.
The film also explores Kerr's relationship with his then girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt, who starred with him in Disney's Jungle Cruise.
Johnson said of her: 'We always have so much fun on set.'
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