Dwayne Johnsonhas entered the ring in the first image for A24’sThe Smashing Machine, just weeks after he announced his training for the role on social media. While theJumanjiactor was mostly for his wrestling past, his appearance in this upcoming feature will allow him to unleash his inner UFC champion.
In this upcoming movie, Johnson is cast to playMark Kerr, a former wrestler and mixed martial artist, who’s also a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. According to the image, the actor is in the ring with two members of his team. The actor looks completely different due to the fake hair that’s on him, making the actor look younger.
The Smashing Machinewas first announced back on August 14, 2025, and was said to be the solo directorial debut for Benny Safdie. The film is a biopic about Kerr and will draw inspiration from the 2002 documentary,The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr,directed byJohn Hyams.
Before his directorial debut, Safdie was an actor, appearing in multiple projects, such asOppenheimer,Obi-Wan Kenobi, and most recently,The Curse. He has also worked with A24 in the past as he was one of the writers for the 2019 crime thriller,Uncut Gems.Alongside Johnson,Emily Bluntwas also confirmed to star in the film.Varietyreported that Johnson andDany Garcia’s production company, Seven Bucks Production, will be producing this feature and that filming was scheduled to begin during the summer.
Dwayne Johnson’s Acting History
Johnson has starred in numerous roles since he began his acting career in the 1990s. The wrestler is known for his roles inThe Fast and Furiousfranchise,Moana, 2017’sJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and DC’sBlack Adam, just to name a few. Johnson also appeared in cameo roles for shows likeThe Wizards of Waverly PlaceandFamily Guy,as well as having a small talking role inTaylor Swift’s music video, “The Man.”
AlongsideThe Smashing Machine, Johnson is set to star in the upcomingMoanalive-action adaptationandanimated sequel, reprising his role as Maui. It was also rumored that he’s set to return in a supposed sequel to the natural disaster film,San Andreas,but it seems that’s no longer happening anymore,according toAlexandra Daddario.
