Just about everything Dwayne Johnson touches turns to box-office gold. Over the course of his blockbuster career, films starring “The Rock” have reportedly generated more than $14 billion in ticket sales worldwide. But Johnson says his most recent project had nothing to do with chasing numbers and everything to do with chasing purpose.
Johnson starred as pioneering UFC heavyweight Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a gritty biographical drama released last fall that marked a sharp departure from the action-hero roles that defined much of his career.
A Career Pivot That Paid Off Creatively
The Smashing Machine earned critical acclaim, with Johnson’s performance widely praised as the best of his acting career. He received a Golden Globe Awards nomination, and members of the Academy’s acting branch are currently voting on potential nominees for the Academy Awards leaving Johnson with a legitimate shot at his first-ever Oscar nomination.
The film represented a stark contrast from the mega-franchises that made Johnson a global superstar, including Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Disney’s Moana. And that contrast was intentional.
Speaking at a roundtable with The Hollywood Reporter alongside fellow awards contenders Mark Hamill, Adam Sandler, Michael B. Jordan, Jeremy Allen White, Jacob Elordi, and Wagner Moura, Johnson explained what drew him to the role.
“I feel like I’ve had a lucky career,” Johnson said. “And I reached this point maybe seven or eight years ago where I had this little voice in my ribcage… and that voice for me was, ‘Well, what’s more?’”
Johnson described becoming increasingly obsessed with the idea of trying of stepping outside expectations and pursuing something personal, even if it didn’t come with blockbuster guarantees.
“The big movies are fun to do. They’re hard work, and when they hit great,” he said. “When they flop, that’s OK we move on. But I had this obsession to do something for me.”
Telling Mark Kerr’s Story
Directed by Benny Safdie and co-starring Emily Blunt, The Smashing Machine is based on the acclaimed documentary of the same name, chronicling Kerr’s dominance during the late 1990s MMA boom and his devastating battle with addiction.
Kerr, now enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, was one of the sport’s earliest crossover stars and Johnson’s portrayal leaned into the vulnerability behind the violence.
That risk resonated with critics, even if it didn’t translate to ticket sales.
Box Office Miss, Personal Win
Despite strong reviews, The Smashing Machine struggled commercially, finishing its theatrical run with just over $11 million in domestic box office revenue against a reported $50 million production budget the lowest opening of Johnson’s film career. Still, Johnson appears unfazed.
The film’s makeup team is also on the Academy’s shortlist for a potential Oscar nomination, and awards recognition could give The Smashing Machine a second life — something Johnson seems content to let unfold naturally. For him, the victory already happened.
After decades of box-office dominance, Johnson finally answered the question he’d been asking himself for years and in doing so, delivered the most meaningful performance of his career.
And if the Oscars come calling? That, as Johnson sees it, would just be the bonus.
Ilia Topuria Targets UFC 324 Winner for Return, Fires Shots at Makhachev and Tsarukyan
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
