Dwayne Johnson Transforms Into Mark Kerr for ‘The Smashing Machine’

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Dwayne Johnson sat in a hotel room explaining his transformation into MMA pioneer Mark Kerr for the film ‘The Smashing Machine,’ which releases on Friday. During a media roundtable, Johnson asked Kerr how he felt about the performance.

Kerr recounted a touching moment with his son, Bryce, who watched the film in New York. The boy called Kerr immediately after and said, ‘Dad, he walks like you. He looks like you. He talks like you.’ This validation moved Kerr to tears. ‘It was just beautiful,’ Johnson responded.

To become Kerr, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound former wrestling champion turned fighter, Johnson committed to an intensive training and makeup regimen. His transformation involved three to four hours of daily makeup and the application of 21 prosthetics by Kazu Hiro, an Academy Award winner.

‘I’ve never worked harder for a role,’ Johnson said. The film explores a time in Kerr’s life similar to the documentary ‘The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.’ Director Benny Safdie wanted his film to connect with the original documentary.

Johnson and Kerr faced personal struggles during the late 1990s, including the tragic deaths of fellow wrestlers and fighters. ‘I wanted to write my own love letter to the men who were my friends that I lost,’ Johnson shared.

Transitioning to look like Kerr, Johnson had to gain 25 to 30 pounds of muscle and alter his training methods. He noted that Kerr’s unique muscle structure came from his wrestling background. Johnson’s training included MMA practices and sessions to adapt his movements.

Production began in May 2024, just after Johnson completed a 12-week camp for WrestleMania 40. The rigorous schedule involved early-morning cardio, weightlifting, and fight training.

During filming, Johnson performed a fight scene where he took a real punch, aiming for authenticity in the portrayal. ‘It felt like when you get rocked by a real fighter,’ he explained. The crew insisted on using Johnson for this realistic representation.

The emotional depth of the film was underscored in personal scenes between Kerr, played by Johnson, and his ex-wife, Dawn Staples, portrayed by Emily Blunt. Safdie focused on creating a trust between actors, which led to powerful performances. Johnson recalled how his own childhood experiences influenced his portrayal.

‘I remember what that was like,’ he said. ‘My dad was a pro wrestler, and my mom sacrificed everything for him.’

Johnson’s role has garnered praise and Oscar buzz. As for Kerr’s thoughts on Johnson’s performance? He stated, ‘If anybody on the planet can validate Dwayne’s performance, it would be my son.’