Ahead of the release of The Smashing Machine later this year, professional wrestling icon Dwayne Johnson likely has one more chance to remain at the height of Hollywood.
Johnson, a member of the TKO Group Holdings board, which is the parent company of both World Wrestling Entertainment and UFC outfits, has featured in the ring as recently as this year.
In the time since, The Rock has landed the lead role in The Smashing Machine — an upcoming biopic detailing the rise, fall, and rise again of UFC alum Mark Kerr.
Receiving praise so far for his resemblance to the Toledo native, Johnson will play the former two-time UFC heavyweight winner in a lead position later this year.
As far as fans on Reddit are concerned, the project has a lot riding on it than meets the eye. Especially for Johnson, this could be a make-or-break move for his acting career.
“I’m excited to see him challenge himself,” a user wrote of Dwayne Johnson. “Dude has been riding in his comfort zone for the last 15 years, seeing him decide to really try his dramatic side will be an interesting watch. I want the corny “Captain Perfect” persona dropped and to see him get truly vulnerable in a way he hasn’t. I’ve never felt pathos from his acting. I want him to prove me wrong.”
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“So recently saw a preview for The Smashing Machine, a sports biopic about MMA fighter Mark Kerr staring Dwayne Johnson,” A second user wrote. “Between the genre, the facial prosthetics, and the fact that the film is written and directly by Uncut Gems (i.e. a critically acclaimed performance from an actor who isn’t known for doing dramatic roles), it seems like Johnson wants us all to see this film and take him seriously as an actor.”
Set to appear on a UFC stage later this summer, Johnson is set to be front and center during International Fight Week.
Dwayne Johnson set to lead Kerr’s Hall of Fame induction
Becoming the final inductee to receive their spot in the UFC Hall of Fame this summer, Kerr will land in the Pioneer Wing of the hall. And as confirmed by UFC play-by-play lead, Jon Anik, during last weekend’s flagship card, Johnson will be there in ‘Sin City’ to personally induct the veteran wrestling ace.
But it’s not just fans who are full of praise for Johnson’s transformation; ex-UFC stars are to boot. Notably, among those is Dutch striking pioneer, Bas Rutten.
“You [have] got to watch his [Johnson’s] shoulders. He’s got the Kerr shoulders, dude,“ Rutten told Serra.
“Oh, yeah. They really worked on that. Like freaking bang. He looks like Kerr,” the Dutch striking innovator added. “Yeah. And I go like, ‘Dude, it got me goosebumps.’ I go, ‘He really looks like Mark Kerr.’ It’s crazy.”
