UFC Icon Supports Dwayne Johnson after The Smashing Machine's Box Office Struggles
Dwayne Johnson took a bold step by transforming into UFC legend Mark Kerr in the film The Smashing Machine. Unlike his usual blockbuster roles, Johnson portrayed a raw and honest story of addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
Bruce Buffer's Reaction to the Film's Performance
Despite critical praise and early Oscar buzz, The Smashing Machine underperformed commercially, a fact that disappointed UFC veteran Bruce Buffer. On his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo, Buffer expressed both admiration for Johnson's performance and concern over the movie's lackluster box office results.
"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."
Film Direction and Production
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film departed from Johnson’s typical high-gloss movies. Instead, it focused on the gritty, painful reality of a man battling not only his opponents but his own inner struggles.
Johnson’s Commitment to the Role
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson dedicated up to four hours daily in prosthetics to authentically capture Kerr’s physical transformation both in and out of the cage.
Summary: Dwayne Johnson’s intense portrayal in The Smashing Machine earned critical acclaim, yet its poor box office results disappointed UFC figures, highlighting the risks of departing from mainstream roles.