A24 has released a new trailer for its upcoming film, “The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt. The film, from writer and director Benny Safdie, is set to be released in theaters on October 3. The new trailer provides another intense look at Johnson’s dramatic and transformative performance as MMA fighter, Mark Kerr. The film has been generating a great deal of awards season buzz since its premiere.
The movie tells the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and an icon of the no-holds-barred era of mixed martial arts in the 1990s. The story delves into Kerr’s rise in the sport and the personal demons he battled outside of the ring, including a struggle with an addiction to painkillers. The film is inspired by the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name.
“The Smashing Machine” recently had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it was met with critical acclaim and a long-standing ovation. The film’s director, Benny Safdie, took home the Silver Lion award for Best Director at the festival. Â To prepare for the role, Johnson bulked up before losing significant weight for another project.Â
He has spoken openly about the role being the most challenging of his career, admitting that he was “really scared” to take on such a dramatic part. His co-star, Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, has praised his “full disappearance” into the character. Check it out below:
