Dwayne Johnson: I Was Afraid of Serious Roles Before The Smashing Machine
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, just days ahead of the Venice premiere of Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson told Vanity Fair that he used to be afraid of taking on dramatic roles. The former wrestler is best known for his action-comedy films such as Jumanji and Fast & Furious.
Johnson said: “It was very real. It had been a very, very long time since I’d felt that way—when I was really scared and thought: I don’t know if I can pull this off. Can I play this role?”
The Smashing Machine tells the story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who rose to fame in 2000. The film explores his struggles with addiction, competition, and his romantic relationship. Emily Blunt, reuniting with Johnson after Jungle Cruise, plays his ex-wife.
Other cast members include Oleksandr Usyk, Lindsey Gavin, Bas Rutten, Ryan Bader, James Montaseri, Yuko Hamamura, Stephen Quadros, Paul Cheng, Cyborg Abreu, André Tricoteux, Marcus Aurelio, Whitney Moore, Paul Lazenby, and Ryan Ventura.
Johnson added: “I realized maybe I haven’t had these opportunities because I’ve been too afraid to try roles like this.” Safdie praised him, saying: “He put his whole being into it. It was unbelievable.”
Johnson is also set to collaborate with Martin Scorsese on another project, further showcasing different aspects of his acting skills. One of the few more “serious” films in his career has been Michael Bay’s Pain and Gain. Critical reception to The Smashing Machine at Venice could open new doors for Johnson.
The Smashing Machine will be released on October 3, 2025.
