Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Talks About Playing MMA Legend In New Movie

Photo: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson / Instagram 

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is stepping into a big new role. In the upcoming movie The Smashing Machine, Johnson will play MMA legend Mark Kerr, a fighter known for his intense battles both in and out of the ring. The movie, made by A24, is set to come out next year.

Johnson, known for his love of sports, especially wrestling and MMA, was excited to take on this role. He even got to give UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal his BMF title at Madison Square Garden in 2019, showing his passion for MMA.

But playing Mark Kerr was a different level of challenge for Johnson. Kerr, who fought in organizations like Pride and the UFC, had a career marked by both victories and personal struggles. Besides facing tough opponents in the cage, he also struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Johnson said he felt drawn to Kerr’s story because of its depth and the chance to explore someone with such a complex life.

Photo: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson / Instagram 

In an interview with GQ, Johnson explained, “This role was a chance to really dive into a character—someone who’s been through a lot, both physically and mentally.” He added that taking on this part would push him in new ways.

To play Kerr well, Johnson had to train in MMA and understand the sport deeply. He’s known for taking on physical transformations, but this role also required him to explore the darker sides of addiction and recovery, themes that are central to Kerr’s life.

Kerr’s career in MMA made him a pioneer. He competed in heavyweight tournaments and had a background in collegiate wrestling, where he led Syracuse to a national title. But after a tough loss in 2009, he retired from MMA. His struggles were shown in the HBO documentary The Smashing Machine, which focused on his life inside and outside the ring.

For Johnson, taking on this role is a new kind of challenge, even after his success in Hollywood. This year, he’s also starred in Moana 20 and Red One, but he says playing Kerr is a whole new experience. Source 


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