The post-COVID era has certainly not been kind to actor and professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The time when his name alone could guarantee a movie hit is now over. Big-budget projects such as Jungle Cruise and Red Notice were a complete mess. DC League of Super-Pets, while a watchable animated flick, did not perform well commercially. And we all know what happened with Black Adam. His upcoming mega-budget action-adventure movie, Red One, is set to arrive in theaters globally on November 15, but its fate doesn’t look promising. At this point, the only movie that could save Johnson’s career is A24’s The Smashing Machine.
Helmed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine marks Johnson’s first collaboration with indie giant A24. He plays Mark Kerr, a former mixed martial artist and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. The film will explore Kerr’s career, his complex relationship with his wife, Dawn Stapes (played by Emily Blunt), his struggle with substance abuse, and his friendship with Mark Coleman.
In a recent interview with GQ, Johnson revealed how the film changed the way he approaches his career. The actor explained how he had always kept the audience in mind, but his biopic role made him realize that he should focus on projects that connect with him on a deeper level.
“It [The Smashing Machine] was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn’t been stretched yet. And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn’t been challenged.” He added, “Big movies are fun and there’s a place for them in our business for a lot of families and people around the world to enjoy them. But there’s also a place for me, in my career, where the material is deeper, it allows me to sink my teeth into something deeper, richer.”
Dwayne Johnson has always been a people’s entertainer. His most prominent movies are big-budget productions from well-known studios. He continues to be a dominant force in Hollywood, with his recent film Red One and upcoming projects like Moana 2 and a live-action Moana remake. While he’s still involved in big-budget films, his interest in smaller, more artistic projects like The Smashing Machine shows that he’s seeking a wider range of roles.
To be honest, Johnson may need to take a break from big-budget movies. He has undeniably solidified his position as one of Hollywood’s biggest box-office draws. However, his consistent presence in blockbuster films has led to a certain degree of typecasting. By venturing into different genres and styles, Johnson could attract a new audience that may not be drawn to his typical action-packed roles, thus strengthening his versatility as an actor.
Johnson’s commitment to The Smashing Machine suggests that he may be open to more independent films. With the movie set to come out next year, it seems that the actor’s career is about to take a major turn. Stay tuned for more updates.