Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Commitment to Authenticity in “The Smashing Machine”

In a remarkable display of dedication to his craft, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson pushed himself to the physical limit while portraying MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the biographical sports film “The Smashing Machine.” During a recent combat sports media roundtable for the Benny Safdie-directed movie, the 53-year-old actor revealed just how far he went to capture the raw reality of professional fighting. “It felt like when you get rocked by a real fighter multiple times,” Johnson explained, referring to a scene where he was hit with considerable force. The moment, which appears in the film’s trailer showing Johnson dazed on his knees in the ring, wasn’t acting—it was a genuine reaction to being struck. “That’s real. I got my bell rung,” Johnson admitted. “I was seeing three heads of Benny Safdie and 15 heads of Mark Kerr.” This commitment to authenticity speaks volumes about Johnson’s approach to the role, choosing to experience the physical toll of fighting firsthand rather than relying on camera tricks or stunt doubles.

The lengths to which Johnson went became even clearer as he described a particular scene where he actually encouraged his scene partner to hit him with real force. Initially, his co-star was reluctant, pulling punches during filming. Johnson recounted their conversation: “I said, ‘Hey brother, you’re pulling the punches. You need to lay it in and hit me.'” When his scene partner expressed hesitation, Johnson persisted, explaining that director Benny Safdie wasn’t cutting away from the action and that the scene needed to capture what really happened to Mark Kerr. Johnson provided specific instructions to minimize permanent damage: “Look, just don’t hit me here, you’ll break my jaw. Don’t hit me in the temple, you’ll kill me. But if you can hit me in my cheekbone.” Despite continued resistance from his respectful co-star, Johnson eventually enlisted Safdie’s help to convince him. “Benny said, ‘You have to hit him because I’m not cutting away,'” Johnson recalled, adding that he personally reassured his scene partner, “Please, brother. It’s you and me here. It’s OK.”

The resulting scene captured genuine impact and reaction. “He hit me so hard!” Johnson exclaimed during the roundtable. “That’s what you see in the movie. Not only is he hitting me, but I realized watching back that he’s coming down. That was a punch! Dude!” This moment exemplifies the physical transformation Johnson underwent for the role, which extended far beyond just taking real punches. The actor spent three to four hours daily in hair and makeup to embody Kerr’s appearance and adopted a noticeably leaner physique, which he displayed at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival where the film premiered. Johnson’s physical commitment reflects his desire to honor Kerr’s story with as much authenticity as possible, understanding that the visual representation of the fighter was crucial to the film’s credibility within the MMA community and beyond.

Beyond the physical aspects, Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr represents a significant artistic milestone in his career. At the Venice International Film Festival, he revealed the personal motivation behind taking on such a challenging role: “This transformation was something I was really hungry to do. I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years and to make the films that I’ve made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, ‘Well, what if I could do more—I want to do more and what does that look like?'” This statement provides insight into Johnson’s mindset as an actor at this stage of his career. Despite his enormous success in action-oriented and commercial films, there remained an artistic hunger—a desire to challenge himself with material that would push him beyond his comfort zone and allow him to display greater emotional and physical range as a performer.

What makes “The Smashing Machine” particularly significant is that while it centers on one of the world’s greatest fighters, Johnson emphasizes that fighting isn’t the film’s primary focus. “Mark was the greatest fighter in the world at one point, but this film is not even really about fighting—it’s a love story,” Johnson explained, visibly emotional when discussing Kerr’s relationship with Dawn Staples, which forms the emotional core of the narrative. This revelation showcases the depth Johnson sought to bring to his portrayal, moving beyond the physical battles in the ring to explore the complex emotional landscape of a fighter struggling with personal demons. “It’s a love story about Mark and Dawn in this relationship, and it’s a love story about Mark and the love that he had for the thing that he did—his struggle with trying to deliver [in the ring], his challenges and his overcoming,” Johnson elaborated, highlighting the film’s exploration of passion, dedication, and the personal cost of athletic greatness.

The film also doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of Kerr’s journey, including his battles with substance abuse. Johnson noted with gravity that “Mark OD’d twice, and he’s lucky to be alive—and that’s part of why this story is so special.” This statement underscores the responsibility Johnson felt in portraying not just Kerr’s triumphs but also his near-fatal struggles, bringing to light the often-hidden toll that professional fighting can take on athletes. By embracing both the physical punishment of fighting and the emotional complexity of Kerr’s life story, Johnson has delivered what appears to be one of the most challenging and nuanced performances of his career. “The Smashing Machine” represents not just a biopic about a legendary fighter but a deeply human story about love, addiction, and the relentless pursuit of greatness—themes that Johnson, with his own background in professional wrestling and his evolution as an actor, was uniquely positioned to explore with authenticity and depth. Through his willingness to be physically vulnerable on camera and emotionally open about the significance of Kerr’s story, Johnson has created what could be a defining performance that showcases his growth and potential as a dramatic actor.