Latest news with #JungleCruise
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."
CNN
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Dwayne Johnson, is that you? See his dramatic new look as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine' trailer
Dwayne Johnson is soon heading to theaters in what might be the most dramatic role of his career so far. In 'The Smashing Machine,' Johnson will play MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, who was the subject of a 2002 HBO documentary that chronicled his substance abuse and explored the brutality of the sport to which he'd dedicated his life. The new trailer for 'The Smashing Machine,' released Tuesday by A24, hits on those themes and more, also highlighting Kerr's tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, played in the film by Johnson's former 'Jungle Cruise' co-star Emily Blunt. 'Winning is the best feeling in the word,' Johnson as Kerr says in the trailer. 'It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There's no other high like it in the world.' Though he has yet to speak specifically about his physical transformation for the role, Johnson appears to have used facial prosthetics to help him more closely resemble Kerr, whose 12-year career took off in the late '90s. The new film marks a more dramatic turn from Johnson, who is best known for his high-octane action fare like 'San Andreas,' 'Skyscraper,' and is certainly not what audiences might be accustomed to seeing from him. That, he told GQ last year, was apparently the point of playing Kerr. 'It was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn't been stretched yet,' he told the publication. 'And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn't been challenged.' Johnson's most recent theatrical release was last year's 'Moana 2,' in which he once against lent his voice as Maui. He has also been more active in the wrestling ring in recent years after making a surprise return to WWE in 2023. Last year, he joined the board of directors for TKO Group Holdings, the company consisting of the recently merged WWE and UFC. Following the WWE's partnership with Netflix, he made a much-hyped appearance at the January debut of WWE Raw on the streaming platform. 'The Smashing Machine,' out October 3, comes from writer/director Benny Safdie, who marks his solo film directorial debut with the movie. He is best known for working alongside his brother Josh, co-directing the acclaimed 'Uncut Gems,' among other films.
CNN
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Dwayne Johnson, is that you? See his dramatic new look as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine' trailer
Dwayne Johnson is soon heading to theaters in what might be the most dramatic role of his career so far. In 'The Smashing Machine,' Johnson will play MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, who was the subject of a 2002 HBO documentary that chronicled his substance abuse and explored the brutality of the sport to which he'd dedicated his life. The new trailer for 'The Smashing Machine,' released Tuesday by A24, hits on those themes and more, also highlighting Kerr's tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, played in the film by Johnson's former 'Jungle Cruise' co-star Emily Blunt. 'Winning is the best feeling in the word,' Johnson as Kerr says in the trailer. 'It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There's no other high like it in the world.' Though he has yet to speak specifically about his physical transformation for the role, Johnson appears to have used facial prosthetics to help him more closely resemble Kerr, whose 12-year career took off in the late '90s. The new film marks a more dramatic turn from Johnson, who is best known for his high-octane action fare like 'San Andreas,' 'Skyscraper,' and is certainly not what audiences might be accustomed to seeing from him. That, he told GQ last year, was apparently the point of playing Kerr. 'It was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn't been stretched yet,' he told the publication. 'And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn't been challenged.' Johnson's most recent theatrical release was last year's 'Moana 2,' in which he once against lent his voice as Maui. He has also been more active in the wrestling ring in recent years after making a surprise return to WWE in 2023. Last year, he joined the board of directors for TKO Group Holdings, the company consisting of the recently merged WWE and UFC. Following the WWE's partnership with Netflix, he made a much-hyped appearance at the January debut of WWE Raw on the streaming platform. 'The Smashing Machine,' out October 3, comes from writer/director Benny Safdie, who marks his solo film directorial debut with the movie. He is best known for working alongside his brother Josh, co-directing the acclaimed 'Uncut Gems,' among other films.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘The Smashing Machine' trailer: Dwayne Johnson transforms into UFC legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's biopic
Dwayne Johnson sheds his signature charisma for a rawness in the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, a biopic about UFC legend Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie in his solo feature debut, the A24 film offers a stripped-down portrait of the former MMA champion — and unveils Johnson as audiences have never seen him before. Set to release on October 3, The Smashing Machine tells the story of Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion and four-time ADCC winner, whose rise to fame was matched by deeply personal battles with substance abuse and fractured relationships. The film is inspired by the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled Kerr's harrowing journey inside and outside the cage. Joining Johnson is Emily Blunt, playing Kerr's wife Dawn Staples, in their second on-screen collaboration after Jungle Cruise. The supporting cast includes Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and Oleksandr Usyk. In a statement to Variety, Johnson said, 'I'm at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter… that explore humanity, struggle, and pain.' He praised Safdie for creating stories that are 'raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting.' Safdie, best known for co-directing Uncut Gems and Good Time, both critically acclaimed for their intensity and nerve, also wrote the screenplay and produces alongside Johnson, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, and David Koplan.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'The Smashing Machine' trailer: Dwayne Johnson STUNS with his transformation into UFC legend Mark Kerr
The first trailer for The Smashing Machine , the highly anticipated biopic starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, has been unveiled — and fans are stunned by the actor's dramatic on-screen transformation. Johnson appears almost unrecognisable as he steps into the role of legendary two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr . The gritty, emotional trailer offers a glimpse into the brutal highs and devastating lows of Kerr's MMA career , as well as his personal struggles outside the ring. Directed by Benny Safdie — making his solo feature directorial debut following his acclaimed work with brother Josh Safdie on Uncut Gems and Good Time — The Smashing Machine marks a significant shift into character-driven drama for both Safdie and Johnson. Emily Blunt stars alongside Johnson as Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples, in what will be the duo's second on-screen collaboration following Disney's Jungle Cruise in 2021. The cast also features Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and Oleksandr Usyk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The Smashing Machine is based on the real-life story of UFC fighter Kerr, who gained recognition for his brutal but distinctive fighting style which eventually won him the nickname of 'The Smashing Machine'. His fighting career spanned from 1997 to 2009, and is considered one of the most dominant figures in early MMA. A four-time ADCC World Champion, Kerr's life was previously brought to screens in the 2002 HBO documentary also titled The Smashing Machine , which delved into his battles with substance abuse and the turbulent personal life. The film is expected to offer an intense, unfiltered look at both the triumph and trauma behind Kerr's legacy. The Smashing Machine is scheduled for release on October 3. The Smashing Machine | Official Trailer HD | A24
