Venice, Sep 2 (AP) Dwayne Johnson steps into a serious role as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine," which premiered on Monday at the Venice Film Festival.
“I've wanted this opportunity for a long time,” Johnson said before the premiere. “The transformation aspect was something I was really eager to embrace. I've been fortunate in my career with the films I've made, but there was always a voice inside me wondering if I could achieve more.”
Known primarily for action-packed blockbusters and comedies, Johnson is already generating Oscar buzz for his impressive transformation in Benny Safdie's film.
The Venice Film Festival has recently been a platform for several best actor Oscar winners, including Brendan Fraser in “The Whale” and Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist.” Like those films, “The Smashing Machine” is released by A24.
“Our industry is heavily influenced by box office results,” Johnson noted. “It often pigeonholes you—this is your lane, this is what audiences expect of you, what Hollywood expects of you. I understood that dynamic. I made those movies, enjoyed them, and they were successful, but I had more to express, not to prove it to Hollywood, but to myself.”
Johnson revealed that the push for a new challenge partly came from co-star and friend Emily Blunt, with whom he collaborated on "Jungle Cruise." She encouraged him to channel his life experiences into his performances.
“When you're typecast, it can be difficult to believe in your broader potential,” he said. “Sometimes, it takes loved ones like Emily and Benny to acknowledge that potential.”
Johnson appeared in Venice with Safdie, Blunt, and Mark Kerr, the man he's portraying. Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner, retired in 2009. Known as “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr battled addiction to painkillers and opioids, surviving two overdoses.
Before his rise in franchises like “Jumanji” and “Fast & Furious,” Johnson was a celebrated professional wrestler, with eight WWE championships to his credit.
“I loved wrestling; it was exhilarating,” remarked Johnson.
He recalled meeting Kerr in the late 1990s and expressed admiration for him. The film, Johnson said, is like coming full circle.
“The Smashing Machine” takes place from 1997 to 2000, a tumultuous period in Kerr’s life, marked by a volatile relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples.
Blunt was excited to explore the authenticity of such a relationship. “I've participated in many relationships that were tailored for movies,” Blunt said. “This film presented a full spectrum of what a genuine relationship entails. People change rapidly, and we got to show that.”
She described it as extraordinary and somewhat “spooky” to see Johnson transform completely into the role, with prosthetics crafted by Kazu Hiro, the artist behind transformations of Bradley Cooper into Leonard Bernstein and Gary Oldman into Winston Churchill.
Venice's artistic director Alberto Barbera commended Johnson's performance, hinting he wouldn’t be surprised to see him and Blunt among the next Oscar nominees.
“I've been hesitant to dive deep and intense until now,” admitted Johnson.
Both Johnson and Safdie acknowledged Kerr's profound impact on their lives.
“It's a privilege to spotlight Kerr and learn from his experiences,” said Safdie.
Safdie, also an actor featured in “Oppenheimer” and “Happy Gilmore 2,” co-directed “Uncut Gems" with his brother Josh.
In discussing “The Smashing Machine,” Safdie said the title perfectly evokes imagery of strength and chaos.
The film is in competition at the festival alongside titles like “Frankenstein,” “Bugonia,” “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” “La Grazia,” and “No Other Choice.” Winners will be announced on September 6.
“The Smashing Machine” will hit North American theaters on October 3. (AP) RB RB
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