Scorching off the heels of a headlining function at WrestleMania, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is kicking off an MMA coaching camp in preparation for his subsequent film.
Method again in 2019, Johnson introduced plans to star in a biopic on NCAA Division I champion turned UFC and PRIDE FC fighter Mark Kerr. The wheels of Hollywood flip slowly, however the challenge is lastly on the verge of filming beneath the indie manufacturing firm A24 (Civil Battle, Midsommar) banner. Benny Safdie (finest recognized for Uncut Gems) will direct, whereas Emily Blunt is rumored to co-star.
In a brand new Instagram video, “The Rock” shared his pleasure for the challenge.
“With WrestleMania behind me, my second coaching camp of 2024 begins tomorrow for my subsequent function in a movie titled The Smashing Machine,” he wrote. “My physique’s banged up from Mania, however no accidents and feeling nice – able to go. Beginning my MMA exercises tomorrow. I’m coming into this in fairly good conditioning and cardio form, however MMA is a distinct animal. And Mark Kerr was a ‘one among one’ monster.”
Kerr was a fearsome fighter at his peak who used his wrestling pedigree to place opponents in dangerous positions after which smash them right into a bloody mess. However as he reached the height of the game, his battle with steroid habit and melancholy overwhelmed him, costing him a number of fights and practically his life.
“I run to this Smashing Machine journey with deep respect and love for all MMA fighters and the tradition,” Johnson stated. “Particularly those that have struggled with habit. I’ve misplaced so many buddies (wrestlers) over time from habit and psychological well being battle – from suicide to, it was simply their time to go. That is my love letter to them. Let’s get to work.”
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see whether or not any of Dwayne’s MMA coaching makes its manner onto his social media. “The Rock” isn’t one to let individuals see him battle — for years, there have been persistent rumors that he was contractually required to win all his Hollywood fights. That received’t work for a biopic on Mark Kerr, who began his profession on a twelve battle win streak however then went 3-11 on the draw back of his fight sports activities days.
The Smashing Machine is at present slated for a 2025 launch. These too impatient to attend can try the award profitable 2002 documentary of the identical title which captures Kerr’s tragic implosion in actual time.
