Directed by Benny Safdie and co-starring his Jungle Cruise screen partner Emily Blunt, The Smashing Machine will mark a major departure for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Why? Well, it's a far more serious role which, if things go to plan, could see him vying for awards next year.
The movie will tell the story of iconic MMA fighter Mark Kerr and his struggles with addiction and his marriage, all while he put MMA on the map as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner.
Johnson is hitting all the expected marks for a role like this, including undergoing a major physical transformation which includes prosthetics to drastically change his appearance. He's never really starred in a "serious" drama, so how this pans out should be fascinating as he has shown signs of being more than an action hero.
The Black Adam star has, however, just hit a major bump in the road. While he managed to avoid being injured during his WWE return over WrestleMania weekend earlier this year, the Final Boss suffered a right elbow injury while shooting The Smashing Machine this week.
Showing that off in the video below (while plugging his tequila brand, of course), Johnson revealed the "cantaloupe" on his elbow, confirming it happening during filming.
Despite believing it's only soft tissue damage, the pro wrestler and Hollywood star confirmed the fluid will be drained so doctors can examine the extent of the damage with an MRI. It's unclear whether this will delay production in any way, though it's unlikely to have an impact on his WWE plans as we're not expecting Johnson to compete again until next year's WrestleMania.
"Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting," Johnson previously said of The Smashing Machine. "I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past."
"I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain."
"I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies," he said of his run as the lead in countless blockbusters. "I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them] but there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more."
"And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity. And that is why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner for me."
The Smashing Machine is expected to be released by A24 this December.