Movies
The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson Looks Unrecognizable As Mark Kerr
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Get to know Dan Girolamo betterPublished11 Apr 2025
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson looks unrecognizable as Mark Kerr in new photos from the set of The Smashing Machine.
Dwayne Johnson Stuns In New Photos
New look at Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s new film ‘THE SMASHING MACHINE’ for A24. pic.twitter.com/kirr0XWB08
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 11, 2025
Johnson underwent a significant physical transformation to play Kerr.
In the new photos shared on Kerr’s Instagram, Johnson has a new haircut and facial prosthetics as he converses with the real-life Kerr.
In May, A24, the studio distributing The Smashing Machine, released a photo of Johnson’s Kerr sitting in the ring as his then-wife (Emily Blunt) looks on.
Despite his background in football and professional wrestling, Johnson has not acted in many sports movies.
Johnson starred as a football coach in 2006’s Gridiron Gang, a quarterback in 2007’s The Game Plan, and a minor league ice hockey player in 2010’s Tooth Fairy.
Johnson vigorously trained to look like Kerr, a former MMA fighter in the heavyweight division.
Johnson chronicled much of his training on social media, practicing various martial arts moves and maneuvers.
Training camp for “Smashing Machine”
For the role and life of Mark Kerr
Two time @UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion World Vale Tudo ChampionLearning, sweating daily – grateful to grow.#TheSmashingMachine
Written & Directed by Benny Safdie@A24 pic.twitter.com/XshHUtnS9c— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 6, 2024
What Is The Smashing Machine About?
First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGV
— A24 (@A24) May 21, 2024
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson stars as Kerr, a former wrestler and mixed martial artist who rose to prominence during the early days of UFC.
Kerr quickly became a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament champion.
However, Kerr was addicted to drugs, especially painkillers and other narcotics.
Blunt stars as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s girlfriend and eventual wife. Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Zoe Kosovic also star.
Benny Safdie writes and directs The Smashing Machine in his solo directorial debut. Safdie, Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Eli Bush, and David Koplan will produce.
Kerr’s career and battle with addiction were the subject of the 2003 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine.
HBO will release The Smashing Machine in theaters on October 3, 2025.
