The Smashing Machine

*"The Smashing Machine" – Upcoming Film Details**  

                   

                               

### **Release Date:**  

*Expected in **2025*** (No official date confirmed yet, but filming began in early 2024).  

### **Director:**  

**Benny Safdie** (of *Uncut Gems* fame, marking his solo directorial debut).  

### **Starring:**  

- **Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson** as **Mark Kerr** (his first dramatic, non-action-hero role).  

- **Emily Blunt** as **Dawn Staples** (Kerr’s wife).  

- **Oppenheimer’s** **Lynda Weisse** in a supporting role.  

### **Plot & Background:**  

- A **biographical drama** based on the real-life story of **Mark Kerr**, a legendary MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament champion.  

- Explores Kerr’s **struggles with addiction, painkiller abuse, and personal demons** amid his rise in the brutal world of 1990s–2000s MMA.  

- The title references Kerr’s nickname, *"The Smashing Machine,"* earned for his relentless, aggressive fighting style.  

- Inspired by the **2002 HBO documentary** of the same name, which exposed the dark side of MMA.  

### **Why It’s a Big Deal:**  

- **Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic transformation**—shaving his head, gaining weight, and embracing a raw, unglamorous role.  

- **Benny Safdie’s gritty, intense direction**—expect *Uncut Gems*-level anxiety and realism.  

- A rare **MMA film focusing on the human cost of the sport**, not just the glory.  

### **Production & Release:**  

- **A24** is producing, known for bold, artistic films (*The Wrestler*, *The Whale*).  

- Possible **film festival debut** (Venice/Toronto 2025) before a theatrical release.  

Would you watch *The Smashing Machine*? It could be Johnson’s *Raging Bull* moment. 🎥🥊

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