Check out Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in our first look at Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine

The Smashing Machine is written and directed by Benny Safdie. Dwayne Johnson stars as former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. A24 has released the first image, which shows the excellent makeup and prosthetics.

In 2002, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary titled The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, which detailed his MMA career fighting in Vale Tudo, the UFC and PRIDE. The documentary also focused on Kerr’s struggle with substance abuse, his relationships with his then-girlfriend, various training partners, and friendship with Mark Coleman.

Kerr earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” due to his fighting style. He won more than two dozen MMA titles and was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, as well as a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner.

The new biopic also stars Emily Blunt, Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, and Ryan Bader. The film will explore the life of Kerr at the peak of his career in 2000, while he navigates career victories, love, friendship and addiction.

Blunt and Johnson last starred together in 2021’s Jungle Cruise.

Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions are producing the film alongside Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush and David Koplan.