Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is stepping into the ring once again, but this time, it's not for a wrestling match. The Hollywood superstar transforms into the legendary mixed martial artist Mark Kerr in the upcoming biopic "The Smashing Machine." A24 released the official trailer for the film on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, giving fans a glimpse of Johnson's remarkable transformation and the gripping story that lies ahead.
Set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, the film marks the solo directorial debut of Benny Safdie, who is known for his work on critically acclaimed films like "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time." Safdie not only directs but also co-writes and co-produces the film, ensuring a personal touch to the narrative.
The trailer showcases Johnson, 52, in a strikingly different light. With the aid of facial prosthetics and a wig, he becomes almost unrecognizable as Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion. One viewer on social media praised the makeup team, saying, "Whoever did the makeup definitely deserves an Oscar nomination." The film promises to delve deep into Kerr's tumultuous life, highlighting both his triumphs and struggles.
In the trailer, Johnson, embodying Kerr, shares a poignant moment, stating, "Winning is the best feeling there is. It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There's no other high like it in the world." This encapsulates the thrill of competition that Kerr experienced throughout his career.
Emily Blunt stars alongside Johnson as Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples. This collaboration marks their second project together after the 2021 adventure film "Jungle Cruise." The duo is also set to appear with Leonardo DiCaprio in an upcoming crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, showcasing their growing chemistry on screen.
Mark Kerr, born on December 21, 1968, in Toledo, Ohio, had a remarkable journey in the world of combat sports. He began his wrestling career at just 15 years old while still in high school in Iowa. Kerr later attended Syracuse University, where he became a wrestling champion and competed in prestigious events like the Wrestling World Cup and World Championship.
His first foray into mixed martial arts came in January 1997 at the World Vale Tudo Championship in Brazil, where he made an explosive debut by defeating three opponents in one night. This performance earned him the nickname "The Smashing Machine," a title that would later become synonymous with his legacy. Kerr quickly rose to fame and became one of the early stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which was still in its infancy at the time.
However, the road to success was fraught with challenges. The UFC faced significant backlash and controversy, leading to many politicians attempting to ban the sport outright. Despite these obstacles, Kerr continued to fight, eventually moving to Japan to compete in the PRIDE Fighting Championship, where he garnered massive audiences and solidified his status as a top competitor.
Sadly, the pressures of fame and the physical toll of fighting led Kerr down a dark path. Injuries sustained during fights resulted in an addiction to painkillers, a struggle that would haunt him for years. The 2002 HBO documentary titled "The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr" highlighted these struggles, showcasing graphic footage of Kerr injecting narcotics to numb his pain.
Kerr's personal life also took a hit, with his then-girlfriend and later wife, Dawn, pleading with him to seek help for his addiction. In 1999, he was hospitalized after a drug overdose, but he returned to the ring in 2000, determined to continue his fighting career. Despite his efforts, Kerr's later years in the sport were marred by losses; he ended his professional fighting career in 2009, suffering a defeat in just 25 seconds.
Now 56, Kerr has retired from fighting and has been candid about his health struggles. In a 2019 GoFundMe campaign, he revealed that he had been battling peripheral neuropathy for three years, a condition exacerbated by his past addiction to pain medication.
The upcoming film aims to paint a comprehensive picture of Kerr's life, from his meteoric rise in the UFC to his battles with addiction and personal demons. The trailer suggests that it will not shy away from the darker aspects of Kerr's journey, promising a raw and honest portrayal of a complex figure.
In addition to Johnson and Blunt, the cast includes mixed martial artist Ryan Bader, former fighter and actor Bas Rutten, and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, all of whom bring their unique talents to this compelling story.
As anticipation builds for "The Smashing Machine," fans of both Johnson and mixed martial arts are eager to see how this film will honor the legacy of Mark Kerr. With its powerful themes of resilience, redemption, and the highs and lows of competitive sports, the film is set to resonate with audiences when it releases in theaters this fall.
