Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has revealed that portraying former MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming film “The Smashing Machine” had a personal impact on him, making him a more empathetic person. In an exclusive interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Johnson reflected on the experience of playing Kerr, a fighter who reached the top of the combat sports world while simultaneously battling severe addiction and other personal demons. The Rock explained that delving into Kerr’s story gave him a deeper appreciation for the hidden struggles that people often face, even when they appear to have it all together.
“I really realized that I think you’ll find interesting, and people watching, I think, will find this interesting. Becoming Mark Kerr really allowed me to become even more empathetic to the world,” Johnson said. “Because I try to be empathetic. I try to not be too judgy… ‘Hey, you never know what people are going through,’ right?
They could seem like they have it together, especially a guy like Mark Kerr, he’s on top of the world. He’s a world champion. He’s the greatest fighter on the planet, and he looks like he’s capable, but he’s just dying on the inside. So, becoming Mark just allowed me to become even more empathetic, too. You just never know what people are going through.”
“The Smashing Machine,” which is set to be released in theaters on October 3, has already garnered significant critical praise. The film received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, a moment that reportedly brought Johnson to tears. It is currently one of his highest-rated projects on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising his dramatic and transformative performance as Kerr.
The role required Johnson to undergo a significant physical change, and he is already preparing for another transformation for his next project with director Benny Safdie, a film called “Lizard Music,” where he will play an eccentric 70-year-old man known as ‘Chicken Man’ and will shed 60lbs of muscle for the part.
While he is currently focused on his thriving Hollywood career, The Rock remains a major figure in the world of WWE. As a member of the TKO Group Board of Directors, he plays a role in the business side of the company. His last match came last year, competing in the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania XL, where he teamed with Roman Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
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