Dwayne Johnson says The Smashing Machine role changed his life amid Oscar buzz

Dwayne Johnson says playing Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine has changed his life as Oscar chatter swirls around the upcoming biopic. The former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter is the subject of the film, which is led by Johnson in the title role and features Emily Blunt as Kerr’s then-wife, Dawn Staples. Johnson told The Graham Norton Show that the role is “the role of a lifetime,” and he described having to “rip himself open” to truly connect with Kerr, saying, “He had an unbelievable life, and to play him is the role of a lifetime. For once, I wasn’t chasing the box office, and it has changed my life.”

Blunt joined Johnson on the show, portraying a character described by the actress as “heartbreaking and fierce.” She said Dawn Staples’ relationship with Kerr involved brokenness and vulnerability and expressed hope that the film could be healing for the couple. The pair also discussed the dramatic shift the project represents for Johnson, who has long been known for action-heavy roles. In Venice and elsewhere, Johnson has emphasized a desire to be taken seriously as a performer beyond his Rock persona. On The Guardian, he expanded on his preparation, saying he wanted to challenge himself and listen to his gut, even if it meant crying, “to really rip myself open.”

The Smashing Machine chronicles Kerr’s life as he pursued wrestling stardom and MMA fame, including a career marked by substance-abuse struggles and domestic upheaval. The film’s director, Benny Safdie, described Kerr’s life as one of extreme highs and lows, and Blunt’s portrayal of Kerr’s wife is framed as a counterpoint to Kerr’s public triumphs. The project is being produced by the indie powerhouse A24 and is slated for theatrical release on October 3. The film’s focus on Kerr’s personal battles and the evolution of his relationship comes at a moment when Johnson is expanding his range beyond blockbuster franchises toward more specialized, character-driven work.

Johnson has spoken previously about the intense physical and emotional preparation required for the role. To embody Kerr, he shed about 60 pounds, a transformation that has fueled fan speculation about the actor’s technique and approach. The Hollywood Reporter discussed the process in the run-up to Venice, where Johnson called the weight cut part of a broader effort to push his craft rather than simply fit a box-office mold. He said, “This transformation was something I was really hungry to do... there was just a voice inside me that said, ‘What if I could do more?’”

The film’s Venice screening drew a 15-minute standing ovation, one of the longest of the festival, with Safdie and the film’s leads embracing as the audience reacted emotionally. Johnson has described Kerr not only as a sports icon but as a figure whose life raises questions about what happens when victory becomes the enemy. Kerr himself appeared at a Venice press conference, and Johnson asked him to stand and take the applause of the crowd, underscoring the documentary-like intensity of the production’s reception. Kerr’s life achievements include being a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a Pride FC heavyweight champion, and a decorated NCAA and freestyle wrestling competitor in the early 1990s. In 2003, Kerr was the subject of HBO’s The Smashing Machine, a documentary that tracked his MMA career through Vale Tudo, the UFC, and Pride.

The lead actor has stressed that The Smashing Machine marks a deliberate pivot from typical action fare toward more intimate storytelling. Johnson has reflected on what drew him to Kerr: a life defined by discipline, struggle, and the enduring question of how to handle success when it collides with personal demons. He has also acknowledged interactions with his father’s story—describing his own upbringing as shaped by a tough, unconventional path rather than a conventional athletic pedigree—and noted how Kerr’s life resonates with his own journey toward deeper, more meaningful work.

As The Smashing Machine nears its release date, fans have lit up social media with calls for award recognition, including discussions about potential nominations across multiple prestige categories. Yet Johnson has consistently framed the film as a means of personal discovery as much as a cinematic achievement, emphasizing that the project is about the human experiences behind a life in the public eye. The film’s exploration of Kerr’s substance issues, his relationship with Staples, and the broader arc of his athletic ascent place The Smashing Machine squarely within Culture & Entertainment’s current focus on redefining what star power can mean in contemporary cinema.