Dwayne Johnson Earns Oscar Buzz for dramatic Turn as UFC Fighter Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine”
Venice, italy – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is generating significant oscar buzz following the world premiere of “The Smashing Machine” at the Venice Film Festival on Monday. The film, directed by Benny Safdie, marks a dramatic departure for the actor, known for his action-hero roles in franchises like “Jumanji” and “Fast & Furious.”
Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner and MMA fighter whose career was shadowed by struggles with painkiller and opioid addiction, including two overdoses. Early reactions suggest a transformative performance from Johnson, prompting speculation he could be a frontrunner in the Best Actor category.
“Absolutely amazing,” is how Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, described Johnson’s performance too the Associated Press. He also predicted nominations for both Johnson and Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, at next year’s Academy Awards.The Venice Film Festival has proven to be a launching pad for recent Best Actor winners, including Brendan Fraser for “The Whale” and Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist.” Notably, “The Smashing Machine” shares a distributor with both films: A24, a studio renowned for its critically acclaimed and awards-worthy projects.
Safdie, known for his work on the critically lauded “Uncut Gems” (co-directed with his brother Josh), described the film’s title as “a perfect onomatopoeia for something visual, conjuring images of domination and destruction with ease.”
before becoming a global movie star and successful businessman, Johnson made his name in professional wrestling, winning eight WWE championships as a third-generation grappler.”The Smashing Machine” appears to be a return to a more grounded, physically demanding role, showcasing a new facet of Johnson’s acting talent.
While official reviews are still forthcoming, the early word from Venice suggests “The Smashing Machine” is not onyl a compelling biographical drama but a potential awards contender, solidifying Dwayne Johnson’s evolution as a serious dramatic actor.
Keywords: Dwayne johnson, The Rock, The Smashing Machine, mark Kerr, UFC, MMA, Venice Film Festival, Oscars, A24, Benny safdie, Brendan Fraser, Adrien Brody, Film, Movie, Biography, Drama, Addiction.
