Not just Oscar bait?
Dwayne Johnson doesn't have a reputation of an Oscar-worthy actor, yet this might change with the upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine.
It seems like I am not the only one who is eager to finally see a new side to Dwayne Johnson: Not just an action hero, but a side of him that portrays losing. Because not only could this movie get The Rock an Oscar, but it could also smash view-records for the studio.
A24's Second Best Opening Weekend
The studio behind very artistic hit movies like Everything Everywhere All At Once or Midsommar could deliver a smashing hit at the box office. According to the US industry magazine Deadline, The Smashing Machine is set to have the second-best opening in the studio's history, with around $20 million expected to be grossed in North America on its opening weekend.
The only other movie in A24 history that exceeded those numbers was last year's apocalyptic war drama Civil War. It grossed $25.5 million on its opening weekend and is suspected to stay on the number 1 spot. However, nothing is not set in stone, and maybe enough people want to see a vulnerable Rock for a change.
Mark Kerr Played By Dwayne Johnson
The Smashing Machine tells the story of the UFC-fighter Mark Kerr who fell into a painkiller addiction between 1997 and 2000. In the movie, Dwayne Johnson portrays his hardships, fighting in the ring, fighting his inner demons and consequently fighting with his girlfriend/wife. The casting choice is fitting since Johnson was a wrestler during the same time.
The most noticeable aspect was how unrecognizable Dwayne Johnson looked in the trailers for this movie. The actor, known for always playing the same archetype of a character while also looking the same, is now wearing prosthetics to resemble the original Mark Kerr.
When watching the trailer, Dwayne Johnson isn't just saying his lines in his typical "The Rock"-demeanor. I see Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson. Seeing "The Rock" cry and struggle is something that truly felt like a punch in the gut in the best possible way.
Dwayne Johnson could seize this opportunity to finally step out of the shadow of mediocre adventure-action-comedy movies. The Smashing Machine shows that he is capable of transforming character and actually acting. Maybe he can also smash the competition at the Oscars (couldn't resist that pun).
The movie will be out on October 3. If you can't wait, you could also watch the documentary with the same name that this movie is based on. The upcoming movie even shares complete scenes with the documentary of 2002.
Are you stoked about The Smashing Machine? No matter how good the movie will be, I am intrigued to see how the Rock will perform.