Dwayne Johnson to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in new movie

Dwayne Johnson is set to take on a new challenging role as he portrays mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming film "The Smashing Machine."

The film, announced by A24 and directed by Benny Safdie, explores Kerr's life at the peak of his career in 2000, delving into his victories, relationships, friendships, and struggles with addiction. Kerr, nicknamed "The Smashing Machine," was a formidable MMA and UFC champion, earning over two dozen titles and securing the UFC Heavyweight Tournament Championship twice.

"Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark's inspiring story is electrifying," A24's Noah Sacco said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

"We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life."

Johnson's new project

The film marks Safdie's first solo project as both writer and director, following his collaborative success with "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time."

Johnson, Safdie, and others, including Dany Garcia, Eli Bush, and David Koplan, are producing the movie. Kerr's story was previously documented in the HBO film "The Smashing Machine" in 2002, shedding light on his rise in the MMA world and the challenges he faced, including a battle with addiction that resulted in an overdose.

While Johnson retired from WWE in 2004, he recently returned, engaging in a surprise face-off with John Cena during WWE SmackDown! in September. Johnson is concurrently involved in multiple projects, including "Red Notice 2," "Fast X: Part 2," "Jungle Cruise 2," "Red One," and the live-action remake of "Moana."

Safdie, known for his work on "Uncut Gems," is also involved in productions like "Telemarketers," "Love Has Won," and has acted in "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" and "Oppenheimer."

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