Documentary/Biopic Dwayne Johnson To Play MMA Fighter Mark Kerr In A24 Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’

[Pennywise]

Dwayne Johnson & Benny Safdie’s Mark Kerr MMA Biopic ‘The Smashing Machine’ From A24 Busts Its Way Into Fall

A24's Dwayne Johnson movie about the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr will be released on October 3, 2025.

deadline.com

EXCLUSIVE: A24‘s Dwayne Johnson-starring and Benny Safdie-directed The Smashing Machine, about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, has set a theatrical release date of October 3, 2025.

The news comes in the wake of Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic Michael looking to vacate that date as it mulls a two-part release strategy. The Smashing Machine now pushes its way onto a weekend against Paramount’s Derek Cianfrance-directed Roofman starring Channing Tatum, and Neon’s next Oz Perkins horror film The Keeper. That’s the quite the auteur brawl.

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Pennywise]

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

I dig the trailer. Benny Safdie directing is always a plus, and it does look like Johnson going for a bit more range than most of his performances. I'll give it a watch when it's out.

 

[Broseph44]

This looks really good. The Rock finally going for something different here to be taken more seriously.

 

[The Shape]

Always knew The Rock had a performance like this in him. Excited to see it.

 

[misjuevos]

Just saw the trailer. It is just like the documentary by the same name. Really quite spot on.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

It's honestly been a while since I've been really excited for a movie starring The Rock but man does this look great.

I already know him and Blunt are going to have fantastic chemistry like they did in Jungle Cruise so that's also plus.

This also gets me a bit more excited for that movies he's doing with Scorsese and DiCaprio.

 

[emielaen]

The archival, hazy dreamlike feel here is gonna make this an even more devastating story then it already seems.

 

[Pennywise]

This looks great, and has me wanting to watch the documentary!

 

[Broseph44]

This looks great, and has me wanting to watch the documentary!

What’s the name of the doc?

 

[blueharvest]

What’s the name of the doc?

It's the same title as the movie. The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.

 

[Babillygunn]

This sequel to Jungle Cruise is very confusing

 

[Mani-Man]

That looks surprisingly competent, especially on Dwaynes part.
And i guess that is what is bothering me about his Politicing in hollywood and the WWE...because he doesnt need to be that way.

He can be a genuine decent actor and is incredible well liked, so i dont get his "alleged" behaviour behind the scenes.