US EditionDwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? ‘The Smashing Machine’ starts buzz at Venice Film Festival
Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine" marks a significant career shift, earning early Oscar buzz at Venice Film Festival.
- On Monday, The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr, had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with Johnson driven by a "burning desire" to express himself as an actor.
- Johnson explained his motivation to change course, saying he has long wanted to expand beyond Hollywood box office pressures and, after a few years ago of reflection, finally seized this opportunity.
- Johnson appears nearly unrecognizable after pounds of prosthetics, portraying Mark Kerr's UFC successes, opioid addiction, and struggles with Dawn Staples, his then-wife.
- Playing in the main competition, The Smashing Machine is one of 21 films vying for top prizes at Venice Film Festival, which has launched actors like Brendan Fraser and Adrien Brody to Best Actor wins.
- The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, features Dwayne Johnson's dramatic turn and will reach audiences later this year.
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Film star Dwayne Johnson alias The Rock was a former wrestler. He was ten times world heavyweight champion and won many great titles.
Dwayne Johnson's new film, The Crusher, shows his dramatic and vulnerable side. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, stars MMA fighter Mark Kerr and is expected to garner an Oscar nomination.
Dwayne Johnson brings the drama to Venice: ‘Smashing Machine’ a risky leap
LIDO, Venice, Italy – Dwayne Johnson ranks among the planet’s biggest stars but his first time at the Venice Film Festival to world premiere “The Smashing Machine” is an ambitious, risky leap. For Johnson literally disappears, gaining weight and prosthetics to play amateur wrestler turned MMA legend Mark Kerr. “Smashing Machine,” written-directed and produced by Benny Safdie, recounts the pressure to win, the violence in the ring, the addiction…
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