Here’s what we’ve previously heard about the plot: “Jurassic World Rebirth sees an intrepid team racing to secure DNA samples from the three most colossal creatures across land, sea, and air. Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.”

Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley are producing the film for Kennedy/Marshall. Steven Spielberg is an executive producer through Amblin Entertainment. Universal’s executive vice president of production development, Sara Scott, and creative executive, Jacqueline Garell, oversee the project. The film is slated for July 2.

Meanwhile, The Smashing Machine, which is the Dwayne Johnson/Emily Blunt film from Benny Safdie, is set for an October release date and has also received its rating. The MMA drama will be Rated R for “language and some drug abuse.”

A poster and a trailer have both been released this week for the anticipated A24 film. In the teaser, we hear Johnson, as Kerr, state, “Winning is the best feeling there is. It’s 40,000 and they’re cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.” The hold that it would have on his career no doubt offers a sort of reflection of former WWE Superstar The Rock, but here we start to see just what sort of impact it all had on Kerr and his wife, played by Emily Blunt.

Mark Kerr was known to be an incredible in-ring talent, proving to be NCAA wrestling champion as well as a team trial winner with USA Wrestling, which partly focuses on freestyle wrestling. Once he hit the UFC scene, Kerr became a two-time heavyweight tournament champion in 1997. Notably, that first championship came via his second fight in the organization, beating Dan Bobish via submission in under two minutes. Mark Kerr was previously the subject of a documentary all the way back in 2002. As part of his getting into character, Dwayne Johnson has previously shown off his training regiment.

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A24 is hitting the mat hard this month. Fresh off of a new poster for The Smashing Machine comes the first teaser, showcasing what could be a game-changing performance from Dwayne Johnson. We got our first look at Dwayne Johnson as retired MMA fighter Mark Kerr nearly a year ago, but it looks like A24 is already eyeing to get some awards season buzz with these promos.

In the teaser, we hear Johnson, as Kerr, state, “Winning is the best feeling there is. It’s 40,000 and they’re cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.” The hold that it would have on his career no doubt offers a sort of reflection of former WWE Superstar The Rock, but here we start to see just what sort of impact it all had on Kerr and his wife, played by Emily Blunt.

The teaser also points to a showdown between Mark Kerr and longtime friend Mark Coleman. But MMA buffs may note that the two never actually found inside the octagon, so The Smashing Machine is either taking liberties for dramatic effect or it ends up being a tease for a retelling of an actual event. As Coleman himself wrote on Instagram last year, “The fight we didn’t get to see. We were supposed to collide in the pride Grand Prix 2000 semi finals. It didn’t happen. This is the one fight I would’ve really liked to have seen. The smashing machine Mark Kerr, when he was properly prepared he was as dominant as anyone ever.”

Mark Kerr was known to be an incredible in-ring talent, proving to be NCAA wrestling champion as well as a team trial winner with USA Wrestling, which partly focuses on freestyle wrestling. Once he hit the UFC scene, Kerr became a two-time heavyweight tournament champion in 1997. Notably, that first championship came via his second fight in the organization, beating Dan Bobish via submission in under two minutes. Mark Kerr was previously the subject of a documentary all the way back in 2002. As part of his getting into character, Dwayne Johnson has previously shown off his training regiment.

Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine hits theaters on October 3rd, a prime spot to position Johnson as a potential Oscar campaign.

The post The Smashing Machine trailer: Dwayne Johnson transforms into UFC fighter Mark Kerr appeared first on JoBlo.

Mark Kerr is a former American wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

In addition to his directorial duties, Benny Safdie is co-writing The Smashing Machine script, which focuses on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

The latest poster for The Smashing Machine finds Johnson as Mark Kerr, his fists raised, eyes locked on his target, and ready to turn his opponent into hamburger meat. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve seen Johnson with hair, and it’s quite the sight.

According to Benny Safdie, he knew Dwayne Johnson was the best choice to play Mark Kerr immediately. Speaking about casting Johnson in The Smashing Machine, Safdie said, “You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness. If somebody’s open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they’re going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don’t know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.”

Previously, Johnson said he identifies with Kerr’s journey: “I didn’t have anybody to turn to. I didn’t have a mentor, I didn’t have a big brother. So it was like, Oh, I need to figure all this shit out on my own. So you figure out the shit on your own, and then the shit you don’t figure out, well, guess where it goes?” Pointing toward his ribs, Johnson adds: “In there.”

Aside from his anticipated return to the Fast and Furious franchise, Johnson’s Hollywood dance card remains full. He’s playing Maui in Disney’s live-action version of Moana and stars in multiple projects in various stages of production, including Bit Trouble in Little China, San Andreas 2, Jungle Cruise 2, Doc Savage, and more. In addition to his acting career, Johnson enjoys his on-again, off-again wrestling spots, making sure everyone still smells what he’s cooking.

The Smashing Machine comes to theaters on October 3, 2025.

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Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie will step into the octagon with audiences with a newly established fall release date. After the news of Lionsgate splitting up their Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, into two parts, Deadline reports that A24 has now secured the date which was originally given to the King of Pop film. The Smashing Machine is now set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025. The late-year release date will also put the movie in contention for awards qualifications, and if Johnson can deliver on the dramatic front, there is no doubt that the self-promotion machine will try to push for recognition.

Johnson plays MMA icon Mark Kerr in the upcoming drama from Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer, Go Get Some Rosemary). Mark Kerr is a former American wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

Johnson would reveal some intimate details about some hardships he faced when he identified with Kerr’s life, “I didn’t have anybody to turn to. I didn’t have a mentor, I didn’t have a big brother. So it was like, Oh, I need to figure all this shit out on my own. So you figure out the shit on your own, and then the shit you don’t figure out, well, guess where it goes?” Johnson points toward somewhere deep inside his rib cage: “In there.”

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie co-wrote the script, focusing on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be skeptical about Johnson’s dramatic range, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars, as shown by Adam Sandler’s great turn in Uncut Gems.

Safdie mentions that he knew Johnson had it in him to do a role like this when he first met with the former wrestling star. Safdie explains, “You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness. If somebody’s open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they’re going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don’t know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.”

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Dwayne Johnson, despite being a super famous brand nowadays, has tried his hand at different kinds of roles in the past, even as he was being pegged as the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. While there are no shortage of “safe bets” where he got to play a role he was at home with, his resume will still included films like Southland Tales, Be Cool and Snitch, where his size was a factor, but he wasn’t an all-out badass. Johnson would even dabble in family movies. He will next be featured in Red One, which comes from his Jumanji director Jake Kasdan and puts an action twist on the holiday.

Recently, GQ profiled Johnson and spoke with him, Benny Safdie and Emily Blunt on his upcoming dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine. The story of Mark Kerr deals with an athlete who faced depression, and Safdie mentions that he knew Johnson had it in him to do a role like this when he first met with him. Safdie explains,

You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness. If somebody’s open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they’re going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don’t know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.”

Johnson would reveal some intimate details about some hardships he faced when he identified with Kerr’s life, “I didn’t have anybody to turn to. I didn’t have a mentor, I didn’t have a big brother. So it was like, Oh, I need to figure all this shit out on my own. So you figure out the shit on your own, and then the shit you don’t figure out, well, guess where it goes?” Johnson points toward somewhere deep inside his rib cage: “In there.”

His co-star, Emily Blunt, would add that Johnson is “someone who has to be on display. He’s someone who has to give the appearance of invincibility and someone who is immune to struggles, someone who can cope.” Johnson says this film is an opportunity to shed his usual persona, “I look what I look like. I am what I am. There is no: ‘Oh, Rock is just gonna disappear.’ You know what I mean? However, to be able to do that in Smashing Machine, with the greatest of makeup artists—in a way, it was really freeing for me.”

Safdie recalls that the prosthetics on Johnson for the film made him so unrecognizable that when they filmed a scene, none of the extras knew it was him, “It was just funny because I remember him walking around and you’d hear people saying, ‘When’s The Rock going to get here? I wonder when he’s going to get here.’ You’d hear all these people talking, and meanwhile he’s walking amongst them.”

The post Benny Safdie knew Dwayne Johnson could play Mark Kerr when he met with him for The Smashing Machine appeared first on JoBlo.

Do you smell what The Rock is cooking? It smells like Voltaren and Polysporin. Dwayne Johnson is nursing a substantial injury to his right elbow, which he endured while making his new movie, The Smashing Machine. In a video posted to his Instagram account, Johnson proudly holds his injured elbow up to the camera, and it’s a sight to behold. As Johnson points out, it looks like he’s got a cantaloupe lodged beneath his skin.

“Anytime you’re filming a movie called The Smashing Machine, you’re gonna get smashed up,” Johnson says in the video. “I got banged up pretty good today. There might be some soft tissue damage in there. It’s a lot of fluid. I gotta get it out of there first before I get any kind of MRI.”

Still, because The Rock is a trooper, he says, “The pain feels pretty good. It is what it is until it isn’t.” Johnson recalls something his dad told him about pain, saying, “A day without pain is like a day without sunshine, boy.”

After cruising down memory lane, Johnson asks his followers for advice about pain relief and proper healing to get him back in the game sooner rather than later. I don’t know if soliciting medical advice from random strangers is what the doctor would order, but who knows? As someone who has suffered from chronic gout and Crohn’s disease since I was 15 (now 43), I know a thing or two about pain relief. Hit me up, Dwayne. I can prescribe some decent topical treatments for you. Have you ever heard of Solei CBD cream? Before signing off, Johnson busts out his favorite product for pain relief, a stiff glass of Teremana tequila.

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A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

Johnson plays MMA icon Mark Kerr in the upcoming drama from Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer, Go Get Some Rosemary). Mark Kerr is a former American wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie co-wrote the script, focusing on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

We hope Johnson recovers from his injury and gets back in the ring soon!

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Prepare for a double-take because Dwayne Johnson looks different without his signature bald head in a first-look image for A24‘s The Smashing Machine. Johnson plays MMA icon Mark Kerr in the upcoming drama from Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer, Go Get Some Rosemary), and today, he’s getting in the ring for what could be his most challenging role. In The Smashing Machine’s first-look image, Johnson’s Mark Kerr takes a seat to recuperate during a heated match. As a ring girl previews the fight’s next round, Kerr’s coach tells the fighter to breathe as a coach barks encouraging words.

First look at Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE starring @TheRock and Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/GVC2XIHwGV

— A24 (@A24) May 21, 2024

Mark Kerr is a former American wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie co-wrote the script, focusing on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

“Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,” said Noah Sacco of A24. “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

It’s been ages since I’ve seen Dwayne Johnson with a full head of hair, and I’m not going to lie; it’s kinda freaking me out. It’s amazing how a quality hairpiece can change someone’s appearance. I wonder how long Johnson marveled at his fresh crop in the mirror after the hair and makeup team finished working their magic?

What do you think about Johnson’s look in The Smashing Machine image? Are you excited to see Kerr’s story come to life on the silver screen? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Dwayne Johnson steps into the ring as MMA icon Mark Kerr in a first-look image for Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine appeared first on JoBlo.

Dwayne Johnson is hitting his mobile gym harder than ever as he trains to play MMA pioneer and UFC champ Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s upcoming film for A24, The Smashing Machine. The Hollywood heavyweight sweats more than Luke Hobbs in the Fast and Furious franchise in a new video posted to social media, in which Johnson details his intense regimen for the upcoming role. I’m exhausted from watching the video, and I can’t imagine how Johnson feels after hitting the iron enough to transform himself into a puddle of perspiration and charisma.

In the video, Johnson says this is his second training camp after a 12-week training for Wrestlemania. He took ten days off before jumping back into the gym to get swole and familiarize himself with a new fighting form. Combat sports and MMA are new for Johnson, who says he’s living in a whole new world after seeing how fighters on the other side of the fence execute their skills. Before giving the details about his extensive workout routine, Johnson pays respects to the men and women who helped put MMA on the map.

Thanks for all the great questions.
Here’s a sense of my training schedule during my training camp for “The Smashing Machine”

Thanks for all the support- means a lot to me.
Back to work.
Have a productive week.
#thesmashingmachine pic.twitter.com/1g6QP288t2

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 7, 2024

Alongside the workout video, Johnson shared a gallery of photos featuring his hands-on training for the upcoming film. In the images, The Rock looks like he could punch his trainer through a brick wall as he wrestles and grapples with the new fighting style.

Training camp for “Smashing Machine”

For the role and life of Mark Kerr
Two time @UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion World Vale Tudo Champion

Learning, sweating daily – grateful to grow.#TheSmashingMachine
Written & Directed by Benny Safdie@A24 pic.twitter.com/XshHUtnS9c

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 6, 2024

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie co-wrote the script, which focused on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

Kerr is a former American wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

“Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,” said Noah Sacco of A24. “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

Are you looking forward to seeing Dwayne Johnson play Mark Kerr for Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine? What do you think about Johnson’s extensive workout routine? How long do you think you could last against him in the ring? I’m going to say negative zero seconds for myself.

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Dwayne Johnson might be jumping to A24 for Benny Safdie’s MMA drama The Smashing Machine, but he’s determined to stick to the roots that helped make him one of the biggest stars of the silver screen. In a featured article focusing on Safdie’s next project, Johnson told Variety he has no plans to abandon “four-quadrant movies” despite getting dramatic for his role as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in Safdie’s next film project with A24.

“I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies,” Johnson told Variety about confronting his most dramatic role yet. “I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them] … but there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more. And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity. And that is why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner for me.”

Once on top of the world with theatrical hits like Disney’s Moana and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Johnson’s star dimmed ever so slightly when films like Disney’s Jungle Cruise, Rampage (it’s a fun movie, dammit), Skyscraper, and of course, DC‘s Black Adam, failed to meet expectations. Perhaps a dramatic turn is precisely what Johnson needs to stun audiences and refresh his acting career with an uncharacteristically powerful performance. Safdie is a hell of a tag-team partner to help make this transformation happen, and I’m curious to follow the duo down this cinematic rabbit hole.

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie is co-writing The Smashing Machine script, which focuses on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

Kerr is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

If The Smashing Machine is a roaring success, could it start a more dramatic era for Johnson? Will he still be interested in returning to the Fast and Furious franchise for Fast 11 if The Smashing Machine helps redefine his Hollywood position? Let us know what you think in the comments below

The post Dwayne Johnson says he’s not done making “four-quadrant movies” despite his role in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine appeared first on JoBlo.

Do you smell what Benny Safdie is cooking? It’s a collaboration with Dwayne Johnson for the A24 film The Smashing Machine. Johnson will play legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr from the no-holds-barred era of UFC in the new project. A24 is thrilled to reteam with Safdie after the filmmaker’s 2019 cinematic stress test Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler as a crooked New York City jeweler in over his head.

In addition to his directorial duties, Safdie is co-writing the script, which focuses on Kerr’s struggle with addiction, victory, love, and friendship in the year 2000. Likely to veer into more severe territory, The Smashing Machine gives Johnson a rare opportunity to flex his drama muscles for cameras. While some could be confused about what that looks like, Safdie is known for bringing the best out of his film stars.

Kerr is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist. As a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr is one of the biggest badasses to ever get into the ring.

“Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,” said Noah Sacco of A24. “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

Meanwhile, Johnson’s Christmas comedy Red One is in post-production. The action-oriented holiday project stars Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and J.K. Simmons as a ripped Santa Claus. The plot remains a mystery, but with a cast like that, it’s bound to be a holly jolly good time. Jake Kasdan (Jumanji: The Next Level, Transmissions From the Future) directs Red One from a script by Chris Morgan and Hiram Garcia.

Are you a fan of Mark Kerr’s career? Who’s your favorite MMA fighter? Do you think Dwayne John will do an excellent job playing Kerr? Will he play the role straight? Let us know in the comments below, and stay close as details for Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine become available.

The post The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson to star as MMA pioneer & UFC champ Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s A24 film appeared first on JoBlo.