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The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson Looks Unrecognizable As Mark Kerr

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By
Dan Girolamo
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Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Dan is a multifaceted content creator who specializes in sports, pop culture, and entertainment. His entertainment work has been featured on Digital Trends, where he has interviewed Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alison Brie, Adam DeVine, Sadie Sink, Chris O'Dowd, Machine Gun Kelly, and Frank Grillo. Dan's entertainment work has also been featured on Coming Soon, Hidden Remote, and WatchMojo. Dan's other passion in life revolves around sports, graduating from Marist College with a degree in Sports Communication and Journalism. From columns about the latest in New York sports to gambling predictions, Dan continues to find success in written and broadcast journalism. Previous written work can be found at Unafraid Show, while broadcast clips can be seen on WAVE.tv and CBS Sports.

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Published11 Apr 2025

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Dwayne Johnson sits in the corner of a ring.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson looks unrecognizable as Mark Kerr in new photos from the set of The Smashing Machine.

Dwayne Johnson Stuns In New Photos

Johnson underwent a significant physical transformation to play Kerr.

In the new photos shared on Kerr’s Instagram, Johnson has a new haircut and facial prosthetics as he converses with the real-life Kerr.

In May, A24, the studio distributing The Smashing Machine, released a photo of Johnson’s Kerr sitting in the ring as his then-wife (Emily Blunt) looks on.

Despite his background in football and professional wrestling, Johnson has not acted in many sports movies.

Johnson starred as a football coach in 2006’s Gridiron Gang, a quarterback in 2007’s The Game Plan, and a minor league ice hockey player in 2010’s Tooth Fairy.

Johnson vigorously trained to look like Kerr, a former MMA fighter in the heavyweight division.

Johnson chronicled much of his training on social media, practicing various martial arts moves and maneuvers.

What Is The Smashing Machine About?

In The Smashing Machine, Johnson stars as Kerr, a former wrestler and mixed martial artist who rose to prominence during the early days of UFC.

Kerr quickly became a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament champion.

However, Kerr was addicted to drugs, especially painkillers and other narcotics.

Blunt stars as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s girlfriend and eventual wife. Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Zoe Kosovic also star.

Benny Safdie writes and directs The Smashing Machine in his solo directorial debut. Safdie, Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Eli Bush, and David Koplan will produce.

Kerr’s career and battle with addiction were the subject of the 2003 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine.

HBO will release The Smashing Machine in theaters on October 3, 2025.