The Smashing Machine (2025 film)

The Smashing Machine
Directed byBenny Safdie
Written byBenny Safdie
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMaceo Bishop
Edited byBenny Safdie
Music byNala Sinephro
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
Release date
  • October 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$40 million

The Smashing Machine is an upcoming American biographical sports drama film written, directed, co-produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. It stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's then-wife Dawn Staples, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles.

The film is set to be released by A24 on October 3, 2025.

Cast

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Production

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In December 2023, it was announced that a biographical sports drama film based on the life and career of Mark Kerr was in development at A24, with Benny Safdie writing and directing and Dwayne Johnson starring.[1] During the 2024 Academy Awards, Johnson confirmed that Blunt would star in the film as Kerr's wife Dawn Staples.[2] Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Zoe Kosovic joined the cast in May 2024.[3][4]

Principal photography ran on May 21 to August 7, 2024,[5] spanning locations such as New Mexico, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Cinematographer Maceo Bishop, who worked with Safdie on The Curse (2023–2024), shot the film on 16mm film.[6] Later that year, Johnson tweeted that Belgian musician Nala Sinephro would compose the score.[7][8][9]

Release

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The Smashing Machine is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 3, 2025.[10] The first trailer for the film was released on April 29, 2025.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gallupo, Mia (December 13, 2023). "Dwayne Johnson to Play MMA Fighter Mark Kerr in A24 Movie from Benny Safdie". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ^ Ramos Bechara, Diego (March 10, 2024). "Dwayne Johnson Talks Reuniting With Emily Blunt for New MMA Drama, 'Possibly' Reteaming for 'Jungle Cruise 2'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Brown, Emily (May 21, 2024). "Dwayne Johnson is completely unrecognizable in new movie role leaving fans shocked". UNILAD. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Russell, Skylar (May 22, 2024). "Report: A24's 'The Smashing Machine' Targeting A December 2024 Release". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie; Wiseman, Andreas (August 7, 2024). "Dwayne Johnson MMA Fighter Pic 'The Smashing Machine' Scores Deals For A24 As Shooting Wraps". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Desowitz, Bill (March 12, 2025). "20 Movies Shot on Film in 2025: Separate Safdie Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) on X". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Prasad, Sumith (March 2, 2024). "Dwayne Johnson's The Smashing Machine Starts Multi-Country Filming in May". The Cinemaholic. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Sharf, Zack (May 21, 2024). "'The Smashing Machine' First Look: Dwayne Johnson Transforms into MMA Icon Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's A24 Drama". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 2, 2025). "Dwayne Johnson & Benny Safdie's Mark Kerr MMA Biopic 'The Smashing Machine' From A24 Busts Its Way Into Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Lee, Benjamin (April 29, 2025). "The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson fights for an Oscar in first trailer". The Guardian.
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