Dwayne Johnson successfully balanced his professional wrestling career and became a big movie star at the same time. Johnson recently made a big mark with his heel turn leading up to WrestleMania XL and was a big draw for audiences on both nights. Johnson is focusing on his next big project with the event now over.

A while ago, it was announced that Johnson will star as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the sports biopic The Smashing Machine. The actor is set to begin extensive training for the film as he switches from being a professional welter to an MMA cage. Johnson took to X to inform fans about the start of his training to fans and how he is committed to making MMA fans and Kerr proud of the film.

Dwayne Johnson Starts His Rigorous MMA Training for The Smashing Machine

After starring in a string of commercial potboilers and big blockbusters over the years, Dwayne Johnson is set to commit to his first-ever full-fledged dramatic role in The Smashing Machine. The film will be a biopic on the life and career of famed MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The film will be directed by Benny Safdie and will also star Emily Blunt alongside Johnson.

In his latest post on X, Johnson informed fans about the start of extensive MMA training for the film. While he just got off WrestleMania, he is committed to working hard to give a respectful portrayal of Kerr’s complex but legendary career. Johnson also wrote that the film will also be a tribute to great fighters and wrestlers who have succumbed to addiction and mental health problems. The actor wrote,

“From the wrestling ring to the MMA cage. With WrestleMania behind me – my second training camp of 2024 begins tomorrow for my next role, in a film titled – The Smashing Machine. Starting my MMA workouts tomorrow. I’m coming into this in pretty good conditioning and cardio shape, but MMA is a different animal.

And Mark Kerr was a ‘one of one’ monster. I run to this Smashing Machine journey with deep respect and love for all MMA fighters and the culture. I’ve lost so many friends (wrestlers) over the years from addiction and mental health struggle – from suicide to, it was just their time to go. This is my love letter to them.”

The film will be his most challenging role to date. While Johnson trained hard to become DC’s superhero, Black Adam, it does not come near to representing someone real and who has had an inspiring life in the world of MMA. Johnson even tried to join the MMA back in 1997, as he was not satisfied with the pay and his role in WWE at the time.

On the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he revealed his elaborate plan at the time to join the Pride Fighting Championships, where he would hire a great coach and earn more money than what the WWE was paying him. However, he stuck with the WWE and has now become one of the greats.

Dwayne Johnson Calls Moana 2 A Very Deep Movie to Him and Disney

After the success of 2016’s Moana, where Dwayne Johnson most famously played Maui, the actor is set to return in the sequel Moana 2 hitting theatres this year. Fresh footage from the film was shown at CinemaCon recently, and Johnson appeared on stage doing a Polynesian dance. He addressed the audience and teased what they could expect from the film.

Johnson stated that Moana 2 is an even deeper and more personal film to him and for Disney. He expressed his excitement about the film and for audiences to see Maui and Moana embarking on a new adventure. The actor said (via Variety),

“It’s so much deeper of a movie to me, and it’s so much deeper of a movie to Disney as well. We are so excited to welcome back audiences all over the world to a new adventure.”
In addition to Moana 2, Johnson also has the Christmas adventure film Red One alongside Chris Evans, which will hit theaters on November 15, 2024.. The actor will also return as Luke Hobbs in a solo film in the Fast and Furious franchise.