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Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Fans all have same reaction to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's 'unrecognisable' look in new film
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson looks unrecognizable in the new trailer for The Smashing Machine as fans of the Hollywood heavyweight are in awe of his acting skills The trailer for the latest film featuring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been released - and the wrestler-turned-actor is almost unrecognisable. The Smashing Machine, co-starring Emily Blunt, tells the real-life story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr during the pinnacle of his career in 2000, as he grapples with addiction, love, friendship, and the brutal world of fighting. The story is set against the backdrop of the raw and unfiltered era of mixed martial arts, and Mark's relationship with Dawn, portrayed by Mary Poppins actress Emily Blunt. In the trailer, we hear Dwayne's character proclaim: "Winning is the best feeling there is. "It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There's no other high like it in the world." These lines encapsulate the central themes of the movie, which delves into Mark's addiction to painkillers. Sporting a full head of hair, The Rock undergoes a dramatic transformation for the film, directed by Benny Safdie. Mark Kerr, known in the fighting world as 'The Smashing Machine' due to his formidable and aggressive style, soared to fame in the late 90s and early 2000s, reports the Mirror US. A former collegiate wrestler who transitioned into an MMA powerhouse, Mark Kerr is celebrated as a two-time Heavyweight Tournament Champion. His compelling narrative was previously brought to light in a 2002 HBO documentary bearing the same title. Scheduled for an October 3 release, the A24 movie will feature Emily Blunt as Mark Kerr's partner, Dawn Staples. Also appearing will be big names like Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, and Bas Rutten. The biopic has been in development since 2019 following Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's production company Seven Bucks securing the rights to the tale. Dwayne himself is no stranger to the world of combat sports, originally stepping into the spotlight as a WWF (now WWE) wrestler back in 1996. Given the ferocity showcased in his portrayal of Mark Kerr in the film's trailer, there are whispers of potential accolades for the superstar - already a staple in the 'World's Richest Actors' rankings - when awards season approaches. Enthusiastic fan reactions to the recently unveiled trailer hint at a warm public reception, with anticipation building to see the former wrestling champ tackle a dramatic character. One excited fan wrote: "I'm actually really intrigued by this. Seeing Dwayne doing something more serious actually looked awesome. Excited for this." Another said: "It's a unique compliment for the Rock when no one recognizes him in a film. I'm glad he challenged himself for this role. He is phenomenal in this trailer and I can't wait to see it." Another user wrote: "This is the most vulnerable The Rock has been since Tooth Fairy," and another added: "25 years of starring in films and The Rock finally makes his acting debut! I'm just glad that Dwayne Johnson finally looks like not Dwayne Johnson in a movie ffs. Makeup and prosthetics aside, will the acting actually be good? I guess we'll only know after watching the movie." Another said: "THIS is what Dwayne needed. To branch out from being a bro's bro in movies. Perfect way to cast him too, this is one hell of a story and I really feel he is bringing in his A-Game to acting for once."
Irish Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson unrecognisable in new role
The long-awaited trailer for The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, has finally been released - and the transformation the wrestler-turned-actor has undergone for the movie is jaw-dropping. His Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt appears alongside him in this gripping drama that tells the tale of iconic MMA fighter Mark Kerr, as he navigates the highs and lows of addiction, love, friendship, and his career during its 2000 pinnacle. The film delves into the life of the UFC champion during the raw and unfiltered early days of MMA, highlighting his relationship with a character played by Mary Poppins lead Emily Blunt. Fans get a snippet of Dwayne's portrayal when his character declares in the trailer: "Winning is the best feeling there is. "It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There's no other high like it in the world." These lines give insight to some of the central narratives of the flick, including a gritty look into substance misuse, with a focus on prescription drug dependency. Audiences will see a different side of The Rock, complete with a full head of hair, under the directorial vision of Benny Safdie. Named 'The Smashing Machine' due to his formidable style in the ring, Mark Kerr reached celebrity status in combat sports in the nineties and the turn of the millennium, reports the Mirror US. A former collegiate wrestler who made a name for himself in MMA, Mark Kerr is a two-time Heavyweight Tournament Champion. His journey has already been chronicled in a 2002 HBO documentary bearing the same title. The film will be released on October 3, with the cast also including Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, and Bas Rutten. This long-anticipated project began when "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks company snapped up the rights to the MMA fighter's tale back in 2019. Dwayne, having launched his career in the WWF (now WWE) in the late '90s, could be looking at an awards season flurry if the reaction to the trailer is anything to go by. The Hollywood heavyweight, often spotted on lists of the 'World's Richest Actors', might just add another feather to his cap with this role. The teaser has already sent waves of excitement through the audience. One viewer said: "I'm actually really intrigued by this. Seeing Dwayne doing something more serious actually looked awesome. Excited for this." Echoing this sentiment, another commented: "It's a unique compliment for the Rock when no one recognises him in a film. I'm glad he challenged himself for this role. He is phenomenal in this trailer and I can't wait to see it." One user joked: "This is the most vulnerable The Rock has been since Tooth Fairy," while another added: "25 years of starring in films and The Rock finally makes his acting debut! I'm just glad that Dwayne Johnson finally looks like not Dwayne Johnson in a movie ffs. Makeup and prosthetics aside, will the acting actually be good? I guess we'll only know after watching the movie." Another viewer said: "THIS is what Dwayne needed. To branch out from being a bro's bro in movies. Perfect way to cast him too, this is one hell of a story and I really feel he is bringing in his A-Game to acting for once."
