Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said Monday that a “burning desire” to explore more complex roles drove him to accept a part in The Smashing Machine, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Known for his wrestling career and big-budget action films, the 53-year-old explained that Hollywood’s emphasis on box office success often pushes actors into predictable roles. “I understood that, and I made those movies, and I liked them, and they were fun, and some were really good and did well, and some not so,” Johnson said, speaking at his first European festival.
“But I just had this burning desire and this voice that was saying, ‘Well, what if? What if there is more and what if I can?’” he added, describing the personal challenge of stretching his acting range.
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, a pioneering mixed martial-arts fighter at the turn of the century. Unlike many of Johnson’s previous roles, Kerr is a deeply flawed, nuanced character: a gentle yet troubled man grappling with addiction, whose turbulent relationship with his ex-wife Dawn, played by Emily Blunt, forms the emotional core of the film. Directed by American filmmaker Benny Safdie, the two-hour feature emphasizes character and story over spectacle.
“The film isn’t about fighting. It’s a love story about Mark and Dawn and his relationship,” Johnson explained. He also revealed he had to bulk up for the role at Safdie’s request, demonstrating his commitment to authenticity.
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Blunt, who has worked with Johnson before on Disney’s Jungle Cruise (2021), praised his transformation. “One of the most extraordinary things was seeing him completely disappear, like spooky,” she told reporters. “I remember when you walked in as Mark for the first time. It changed the air in the room.”
Kerr, attending Venice to promote the film, expressed his delight at Johnson’s performance. “It’s almost impossible to describe just the amount of detail and everything that went into it,” he said. “I have a 20-year-old son who saw it and he could not believe it.”
The Smashing Machine is among 21 films competing for the Golden Lion prize at Venice, which will be awarded on Saturday. Johnson’s choice signals a shift in his career, embracing more challenging, character-driven work while maintaining the charisma that has made him a global star.
