​Dwayne Johnson tapped to play Mark Kerr in upcoming biopic

Dwayne Johnson a.k.a "The Rock" will portray mixed martial arts icon Mark Kerr in the upcoming biopic "The Smashing Machine".

The film's nomenclature honors Kerr's renowned combat alias.

Johnson collaborated on the film alongside Benny Safdie, co-director of "Uncut Gems," as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. Th film will Safdie's directorial debut for a feature film.


Kerr's life story has always been of interest to moviemakers. In 2002, HBO featured his narrative in the documentary "The Smashing Machine," skillfully directed by John Hyam.

The film will be co-produced by A24 in association with Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions and Safdie's Out for the Count banner, per THR and Deadline. The film will revolve around Kerr's personal struggles, including his battle with addiction.

"Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark's inspiring story is electrifying," A24’s Noah Sacco said in a release. "We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life."

Safdie, renowned for his collaborative directorial efforts alongside his brother Josh Safdie, notably co-helmed the 2019 crime thriller "Uncut Gems." Starring Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, and Idina Menzel, the film received acclaim, securing a nomination for Best Picture at the Critics Choice Awards in 2020. The Safdie brothers also achieved success with a Best Director win at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 2019 for their outstanding work on the film.