Dwayne Johnson Endures Authentic Blow in 'The Smashing Machine,' Citing Commitment to Realism

Hollywood icon Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson recently revealed that he absorbed a legitimate punch from a professional mixed martial artist during the filming of "The Smashing Machine," a forthcoming A24 drama where he portrays legendary UFC and Pride Fighting Championships veteran Mark Kerr. The incident, which Johnson described as getting his "bell rung," underscores the production’s deep commitment to authenticity, a hallmark of director Benny Safdie’s cinematic style.

The revelation emerged during a combat sports media roundtable promoting the film, where Johnson, Safdie, and the real Mark Kerr discussed the intense physical demands of the project. Johnson, known for his formidable physique and background in professional wrestling, took on the responsibility of executing his own stunt choreography, a decision that placed him directly in the path of a powerful blow.

The specific sequence in question is a recreation of Kerr’s highly anticipated 2000 Pride Grand Prix finals fight against Japanese wrestling and MMA star Kazuyuki Fujita. This bout was a pivotal moment in Kerr’s career, contested within the burgeoning, yet brutal, landscape of early 2000s mixed martial arts. Johnson recounted the immediate aftermath of the impact, stating, "It felt like when you get rocked by a real fighter multiple times. There’s a moment in the trailer where I’m on my knees in the ring and I look up dazed. That’s real. I got my bell rung." He added, illustrating the disorienting effect, "Benny said, ‘Hold on! Stay right there!’ I was seeing three heads of Benny Safdie and 15 heads of Mark Kerr."

Director Benny Safdie, celebrated for his raw, immersive filmmaking in works like "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time," had set a clear expectation for Johnson early in production. Safdie expressed his desire "to never cut away" from the lead actor during the fight sequences, a directive that signaled Johnson’s requirement to engage physically, despite the availability of two highly capable stuntmen on standby. This approach aligns with Safdie’s known preference for long takes and a heightened sense of verisimilitude, aiming to place the audience directly into the visceral experience of the combatants.

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While many of the film’s fight scenes are captured from the perspective of the crowd, maintaining a degree of observational distance, one critical moment demanded a closer, more intimate portrayal. This particular close-up shot necessitated Johnson to employ a form of method acting, pushing for a level of realism that went beyond choreographed theatricality. Johnson’s dedication to his role as Mark Kerr, a figure whose career was defined by both athletic brilliance and profound personal struggles, evidently extended to enduring physical discomfort for the sake of the performance.

The challenge, however, lay not with Johnson, but with his scene partner, a professional mixed martial artist understandably hesitant to inflict genuine pain on a fellow actor, let alone a global superstar. Johnson detailed the dialogue with the fighter: "I said, ‘Hey brother, you’re pulling the punches. You need to lay it in and hit me.’" The fighter’s initial reluctance was clear, responding, "What do you mean?" Johnson clarified his demand, emphasizing the scene’s importance and its historical context within Kerr’s life: "I said, ‘Benny isn’t cutting away. This is the end of the movie. You know this really happened to Mark. You have to lay it in.’ I said, ‘Look, just don’t hit me here, you’ll break my jaw. Don’t hit me in the temple, you’ll kill me. But if you can hit me in my cheekbone.’"

Despite Johnson’s precise instructions, the fighter remained apprehensive, stating, "No, no, no. I’m not going to do that." He reiterated his respect for Johnson, adding, "I respect you. I’m not doing that." Recognizing the impasse, Johnson brought Safdie into the conversation. Safdie reinforced the need for authenticity, telling the fighter, "You have to hit him because I’m not cutting away." Johnson, still insistent on the integrity of the scene, made a personal plea: "I grabbed him and said, ‘Please, brother. It’s you and me here. It’s OK.’"

Adding an amusing, yet poignant, layer to the anecdote, Safdie interjected during the roundtable discussion to share an amendment. Legendary Dutch kickboxer and MMA pioneer Bas Rutten, who is also featured in the film and was present during the exchange, reportedly chimed in with his characteristic bluntness: "Bas Rutten was listening to this whole thing, and said, ‘Just hit him! He’s just The Rock! Hit him!’" Johnson confirmed the impact of Rutten’s encouragement, replying, "He hit me so hard! That’s what you see in the movie. Not only is he hitting me, but I realized watching back that he’s coming down. That was a punch! Dude!" This moment highlights the unique environment of the film set, where the lines between acting and real-world combat sports expertise blurred.

The biographical drama "The Smashing Machine" draws its narrative from the critically acclaimed 2002 documentary "The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr." That documentary, directed by John Hyams, offered an unflinching look into Kerr’s meteoric rise in the early days of MMA, his two UFC Heavyweight Tournament victories in 1997, and his subsequent struggles with drug addiction, injuries, and the immense pressure of professional fighting, particularly during his tenure in the Japanese promotion Pride FC. Kerr, a formidable collegiate wrestler and four-time NCAA Division I All-American, transitioned to MMA with considerable hype, earning the moniker "The Smashing Machine" for his dominant, ground-and-pound style. His career in Pride, while often successful, also showcased the intense physical and mental toll the sport exacted. The film aims to capture this complex journey, making the authenticity of the fight scenes paramount to conveying Kerr’s lived experience.

The cast of "The Smashing Machine" is a blend of established Hollywood talent and figures deeply embedded in the combat sports world. Alongside Johnson and Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, the film features several notable MMA personalities. Ryan Bader, a former UFC contender and two-division Bellator champion, portrays UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. Coleman, known as "The Godfather of Ground and Pound," was a contemporary and occasional training partner of Kerr’s, and his presence adds historical depth to the narrative. Undisputed boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, a Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and current unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, also makes an appearance, further cementing the film’s ties to legitimate combat sports. Bas Rutten, the aforementioned former UFC Heavyweight Champion and King of Pancrase, portrays himself, bringing his unique personality and firsthand experience of the era to the screen.

The production’s meticulous attention to detail, from Safdie’s directorial vision to Johnson’s willingness to endure physical impacts, suggests a film striving for an honest portrayal of the often-brutal realities of professional fighting and the personal sacrifices involved. "The Smashing Machine" is scheduled to premiere in U.S. cinemas on October 3, offering audiences a deep dive into the life and legacy of one of MMA’s most compelling and tragic figures.