Dwayne Johnson finds the perfect co-star for his most exciting action movie yet

“The crushing machine“ is the most exciting project of the author of these lines’ career to date Dwayne Johnson. Because finally the superstar, who previously starred in films as diverse as ‘Southland Tales’ and ‘Pain & Gain’, wants to show once again that he can’t just play the role of the cool muscle man, which has only been marginally varied for years , with a dose of humor and a big heart on the box.

In the film adaptation of the life story of mixed martial arts fighting machine Mark Kerr, Johnson will have to offer a wide range of acting. On the one hand, he will have to embody the excellent fighter in the ring, but also a man driven by his demons and addicted to painkillers.

The whole thing is directed by Benny Safdie, to whom we owe masterpieces such as ‘The Black Diamond’ and ‘Good Time’. The film is produced by the celebrated indie film company A24 (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”). And must now Emily Blunt play alongwhich, according to consistent reports from Hollywood industry publications, is in negotiations for the female lead role.

Emily Blunt as lead actress in “The Smashing Machine”

The one who was recently nominated for an Oscar for “Oppenheimer.” Actress will play Dawn Staples, Mark Kerr’s old wife, who helped him fight his addiction. Blunt’s casting fits like a glove – and not primarily because she harmonized well with Johnson in ‘Jungle Cruise’.

Because We also have Emily Blunt to thank for the fact that “The Smashing Machine” exists in the first place. Lead actor Johnson and Safdie as screenwriter started developing the project before the corona pandemic, but then it fell apart and both were busy elsewhere. According to Johnson’s own statement, he had a bad conscience that at a certain point, amid all the stress, he could no longer contact Safdie… and that he probably didn’t dare to do so again. Because he believed that the director thought he was deliberately ghosting him and therefore thought he was an asshole.

When Johnson spoke to his friend Blunt on the phone about his dream project, which would probably never become a reality, she wanted nothing to do with it: “You have to make this movie,” she allegedly told Johnson… and she was able to help right away. Because – as luck would have it – Blunt was on the set of ‘Oppenheimer’ and the next day he was in front of the camera with Benny Safdie, who played an important supporting role. She took the opportunity to tell the filmmaker to revive the project with Johnson. She brought both men back together. Hopefully the rest will soon be history.

“The Smashing Machine”: This is Mark Kerr

Mark Kerr, who was soon played by Johnson, first made a career as a wrestler. When he failed to qualify for the 1996 Olympics, he switched to mixed martial arts, where more money could be made. Although initially met with skepticism, he soon proved his skills and won several titles. But for some organizers it also became a problem because the fighting machine eliminated the opponents too quickly – not good for the longest possible TV broadcasts with many commercial breaks.

Some of his best and most effective fighting moves, such as the headbutt he was famous for, were banned in an attempt to contain him. The tough full-contact sport quickly took its toll on the athlete. Kerr once even fought with a broken hand and took a lot of painkillers. He quickly became addicted to it and almost died from an overdose. His addiction is probably an important part of the cinema biopic, which is based on a documentary of the same name.

“The crushing machine“will likely be shot in 2024 and could then hit theaters in 2025.