Dwayne Johnson Gets Emotional in Venice: Smashing Machine Is a Love Story
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Dwayne Johnson grew emotional at the press conference for The Smashing Machine at the Venice Film Festival, saying that the film directed by Benny Safdie is exactly the kind of project he had long been searching and “yearning” for. He attended the event alongside Emily Blunt and the director, answering questions from journalists.
In this biopic, Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who rose to fame in 2000. The film explores his struggles with addiction, rivalry, 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, Yoko Hamamura, Stephen Quadros, Paul Cheng, Eyebrow Cyborg, André Tricoteux, Marcus Aurelio, Whitney Moore, Paul Lazenby, and Ryan Ventura.
Johnson said: “This transformation was something I was truly eager to experience. I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to build this career and make those films, but there was always this quiet voice inside me saying: What if I can go further? I want to go further, but what would that look like? For years I looked around and asked myself: Is this my dream life, or someone else’s dream life?”
“The Rock,” who has been best known for action blockbusters, had previously admitted to being afraid of taking on “serious” roles. A24 has produced The Smashing Machine with a $40 million budget, and if it is well received by critics, it could earn Oscar consideration and mark a turning point in his career.
Johnson grew emotional again when speaking about the hardships faced by his character Mark Kerr. Kerr himself was present at the event, visibly moved by Johnson’s words: “At one point, Mark was one of the greatest fighters in the world, but this film isn’t really about fighting – it’s a love story. A love story about Mark and Dawn in their relationship, and about Mark and his love for this craft – his struggle to meet expectations in the ring, his challenges, and his triumph.”
Johnson repeatedly referred to Blunt as his “best friend,” saying she had been instrumental in helping him rise to the challenge of the role: “Ever since Jungle Cruise, she believed in me and kept encouraging me, saying: There’s a place where you can put all those things you endured in childhood. I’m so close to Emily, I’ve told her everything. She said: That place is the work you love, acting – and you have me – so let’s make this movie together.”
Johnson added that the box office “can be very noisy,” cornering an actor and limiting his roles: “Many times it’s harder for us – or at least sometimes harder for me – to know what your true capabilities are, or when you’ve been boxed in… and sometimes the people you love and respect, like Emily and Benny, say you can do it.”
