A24 is previewing The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr.
Written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine tells the story of the legendary mixed martial artist and fighter. The biopic marks Safdie’s solo directorial feature debut from a script he wrote (he previously co-directed and wrote the films “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time.”)
Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the trailer, which shows him wearing a wig and prosthetic makeup to fully transform into Kerr; while Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. Mixed martial artist Ryan Bader, actor and former mixed martial artist Bas Rutten, and Ukrainian professional boxer Oleksandr Usyk also star in the upcoming film.
The real-life Kerr competed in matchups from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships over the course of his career. His life was the subject of a 2002 HBO documentary, which was also titled “The Smashing Machine” (a reference to Kerr’s nickname). Kerr posted about the upcoming biopic on Instagram, writing, “I am still in disbelief that this is real. I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for ever litlle [sic] detail production uncovered. Can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”
The Smashing Machine debuts in theaters on October 3; see the trailer – HERE.
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