For the upcoming movie The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson has formally started his metamorphosis into Mark Kerr, the two-time heavyweight champion of the UFC. Johnson announced on Instagram via a video that he has been putting in a lot of work at the MMA training camp in preparation for his part. Benny Safdie, best known for Uncut Gems, is the director and writer of this solo project for A24. In addition to his personal supporters, UFC pros have left supportive remarks beneath his training video.

.

During the UFC’s unrestrained era, Kerr was well-liked by the audience and won multiple titles in addition to the UFC championship. In addition to the 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Championship, Kerr won the 1994 National Freestyle Championship, Pride FC Heavyweight Championship, and World Vale Tudo Championship.

UFC Pros Give Dwayne Johnson’s Training for New Role Positive Reactions

Following his captivating performance at WrestleMania 40, Dwayne Johnson has returned to the film industry. In Benny Safdie’s sports drama, The Smashing Machine, he is set to play UFC champion Mark Kerr. The latest video that The Rock uploaded to his Instagram account suggests that he is actively picking up new abilities.

The learning process has been “humbling, intense, and motivating,” according to Johnson’s captions. Although he is a hard worker, he said that the position demanded more of him. Johnson added that his exploration of Mark Kerr’s body is simply a small portion of his whole journey. On Instagram, the Fast Five actor posted:

“I’m learning a lot every day, and my road to becoming Mark Kerr—the two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Champion—has been incredibly intense, humbling, and inspiring. Even though I’m a hard worker, I understood that this role would need more labour than anything I’ve ever done before. This physicality is really a small portion of the whole journey, which is genuinely a team endeavour. expanding and appreciativeNot just followers showered The Rock’s comment area with supportive remarks. The Jungle Cruise actor’s intense training for the part pleased a few UFC pros as well. Johnson looked fantastic during the training session, Mark Coleman said, and he was inspired to keep it up. The Rock’s most recent moniker, The Final Boss, was the only thing addressed in Oban Elliot’s succinct but encouraging remark, suggesting that he is living up to the moniker.

Instagram user Jorge Masvidal, who goes by @gamebredfighter, said he was eager for the film to come out. Having battled Mark Kerr twice in the UFC, Josh Barnett promised to assist the Red Notice actor. Their remarks are as follows:

Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie Will Produce The Smashing Machine

Benny Safdie’s script was purchased by Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions in 2019, and the two have been working together on the movie ever since. Along with Seven Bucks, Safdie’s Out for the Count brand will produce the movie. A24’s Noah Sacco told Deadline that he has complete faith in the filmmaker and actor:

“Dwayne and Benny possess exceptional talent, and their joint vision for Mark’s motivational tale is captivating.” It is a great honour to have their confidence as partners in realising this extraordinarily unique initiative.

The Smashing Machine will chronicle Mark Kerr’s battles with addiction, love, and friendship in 2000 in addition to his tale inside the ring. In 2003, Kerr was featured in a documentary named the same on HBO.

In 2025, The Smashing Machine is anticipated to hit theatres.