Dwayne Johnson showcases Mark Kerr's journey in the trailer for 'The Smashing Machine'
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson leaves fans in awe with his transformation into UFC legend Mark Kerr in the newly-revealed trailer for The Smashing Machine, slated for a 2025 release.
A24's upcoming biographical drama presented a captivating sneak peek on Tuesday, April 29, showcasing Johnson's portrayal of the real-life UFC titan.
As per the film's synopsis, The Smashing Machine delves into the thrilling life of "legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr." The eagerly-anticipated movie delves into Kerr's illustrious career, focusing on his reign as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and the trials and tribulations that came with it.
The trailer unfolds intriguing glimpses of Kerr's career, featuring key matchups and the ruthless intensity of the early UFC era. It also sheds light on the early days of Dana White's UFC.
Meanwhile, the actual Mark Kerr wasn't shy about expressing his admiration for Johnson, going as far as to post an Instagram story on Monday, April 28, praising the actor's spot-on portrayal. He wrote, "I'm blown away by DJ's performance in The Smashing Machine. The level of detail and commitment to accuracy is unparalleled. Can't wait to see this spectacular film unfold on the big screen."
For those unfamiliar with the project, The Smashing Machine is set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025. The film will be a departure for Johnson, as he undergoes a drastic physical transformation to channel Kerr's on-screen presence [3][4].
The Smashing Machine offers an immersive journey into the world of modern MMA, exploring Kerr's life during his career peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The movie delves into various aspects of Kerr's life, including his tumultuous relationship with his then-wife Dawn Staples, his struggles with addiction, and the effects of combat sports on his physical and psychological health [1][3][5]. Key narrative elements include his fierce rivalry with fellow fighter Mark Coleman, the emotional turmoil faced during his career, and the raw intensity of early UFC's no-holds-barred era [1][4].
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr, delves into the world of mixed-martial-arts, depicting Kerr's tumultuous relationship with his then-wife Dawn Staples and struggles with addiction.
- Johnson's performance in The Smashing Machine showcases a drastic physical transformation as he channels Kerr's on-screen presence, recreating the ruthless intensity of the early UFC era.
- Meanwhile, the real Mark Kerr has expressed admiration for Johnson's portrayal, praising the actor's attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, The Smashing Machine provides a captivating sneak peek into Kerr's illustrious career, focusing on his reign as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and the trials and tribulations that came with it.
- The film, A24's upcoming biographical drama, also sheds light on the early days of Dana White's UFC, offering an immersive journey into the world of modern MMA.
