Dwayne Johnson revealed how he landed the leading part in The Smashing Machine, despite the film being vastly different from his fantastical action blockbusters. In a recent interview, the wrestler-turned-actor, known as The Rock, noted that it was fear that kept him from taking on roles with a bit more gravitas than his usual filmography.
Dwayne Johnson reveals why he wasn’t getting ‘raw and gritty’ roles before The Smashing Machine
While speaking with Vanity Fair, The Rock disclosed that preparing for and shooting The Smashing Machine ended up becoming a fresh experience for him. He then noted that he was unable to take on such roles in recent times due to a fear of failure.
“It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this? I realized that maybe these opportunities weren’t coming my way because I was too scared to explore this stuff,” Johnson explained.
Helmed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine follows the journey of legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, played by The Rock, who secured silverware in several formats of the sport, including two UFC Heavyweight Tournament Championships. The movie depicts Kerr’s rise to the top of his sporting career, while simultaneously showcasing the hardships he faced in his personal life.
Talking about why he ended up doing The Smashing Machine, The Rock added, “I was so hungry for an opportunity to do something raw and gritty and rip myself open. And all of a sudden, Smashing Machine comes along.”
Apart from Johnson, the film also features Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, and Bas Rutten, among others, in pivotal roles. The Smashing Machine is set to debut at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, before hitting theaters across the country on October 3.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon.
