The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson Teams With A24 & Benny Safdie

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The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson Teams With A24 & Benny Safdie

It’s been announced that Dwayne Johnson is teaming up with A24 and Benny Safdie for his upcoming mixed martial arts movie The Smashing Machine.

A24 has been revealed to be financing and producing the project, which will be written and directed by Benny Safdie and will star Johnson as Mark Kerr. Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions banner will be producing the movie, as will Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, as well as Eli Bush and David Koplan.

“Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,” A24’s Noah Sacco stated. “We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

What is The Smashing Machine about?

“The Smashing Machine is a drama based on the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career,” reads the film’s description. “He struggles with addiction, winning, love and friendship in the year 2000.”

For the unaware, Mark Kerr is a former wrestler and mixed martial artist. His titles include being a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion. Kerr was the focus of the 2003 documentary from HBO that was also called The Smashing Machine.