Dwayne Johnson is looking to change up the kinds of movies that he makes. For his next film, he is stepping away from blockbusters to make The Smashing Machine, in which he will play legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr. It sounds like he is going to start making more of these kinds of films and less of the blockbusters.
During an interview with Variety, the actor said that he is looking to focus on making “films that matter,” saying: “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
I’m all for Johnson making these kinds of movies! Honestly, I’m burnt out on him playing the same kind of character in every big-budget tent-pole film that he makes. This new direction will allow him to play all kinds of different characters and flex his acting muscles a little more.
He isn’t completely giving up on blockbusters, though. He went on to say: “I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies. I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them]… But there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more. And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity.”
The Smashing Machine was written by Uncut Gems co-writer and co-director Benny Safdie and the story is set in the no-holds-barred era of the UFC. The movie will follow Kerr’s struggle with addiction, winning, love and friendship in the year 2000. Mark Kerr is a former mixed martial artist renowned for his dominance during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Kerr achieved widespread recognition for his exceptional wrestling skills and brute strength, making him a formidable force in the sport.
Johnson talked about working with Safdie on this project saying that it’s “the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner” for him. It will be interesting to see where Johnson’s acting career goes from here. I think this new direction he’s looking to take his career is the right move.
