UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine Flops at the Box Office
Dwayne Johnson took a bold step by portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr in the film The Smashing Machine. Departing from his usual blockbuster style, Johnson delivered a raw depiction of addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
The film received critical praise and even sparked early Oscar buzz, but its commercial performance was disappointing, leaving UFC veteran Bruce Buffer feeling let down.
Bruce Buffer's Reaction
“It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given,” Buffer said. “For the benefit of Mark Kerr, I was hoping it'd be a huge hit because I'd hope Mark had a piece of the action.”
Buffer expressed admiration for Johnson's performance but showed concern about the movie's lackluster box office results during his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo.
Film Details and Johnson’s Commitment
- Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24.
- The film removed the usual slick Hollywood gloss to focus on the raw, vulnerable side of Kerr’s life.
- Johnson invested up to four hours daily in prosthetics to embody Kerr’s physical transformation both in and out of the cage.
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson spent up to four hours a day in prosthetics to fully embody Kerr's transformation inside and outside the cage.
This intense dedication highlighted Johnson's willingness to take risks and explore complex roles beyond his typical charismatic persona.
Author’s summary: Dwayne Johnson's committed portrayal of Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine earned critical acclaim, although the film’s box office fell short, stirring mixed reactions from UFC insiders like Bruce Buffer.