Get To Know Ryan Bader from "The Smashing Machine;" now on HBO! 🎬

Описание: Karyn Bryant talks with Ryan Bader about starring opposite The Rock in the excellent movie, "The Smashing Machine."

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The Smashing Machine represents a massive "prestige" pivot for **Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson**.

Here is the lowdown on what to expect from this A24 production:

1. The Real-Life Inspiration

The film is a raw biographical drama based on the life of **Mark Kerr**, a legendary American mixed martial artist and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion.

*The Rise:* It follows his dominance in the early, "no-holds-barred" era of the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships.
*The Struggle:* It doesn't shy away from the darker side of his life, specifically his addiction to painkillers and the toll the sport took on his relationships and mental health.

2. A Surprising Creative Team

This isn't your typical "Rock" action flick. It’s being produced by *A24* and directed by *Benny Safdie* (one half of the Safdie Brothers, who gave us the high-anxiety masterpiece *Uncut Gems*).

*The Transformation:* Early set photos showed a nearly unrecognizable Johnson, sporting a full head of hair and prosthetic facial features to better match Kerr’s likeness.
*The Reunion:* Emily Blunt stars alongside Johnson as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife. This marks their first time working together since *Jungle Cruise*, but with a much heavier, more dramatic tone.

3. Connection to the Documentary

The movie shares its title with the acclaimed *2002 HBO documentary* *The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr*.

If you want a preview of the "vibe" of the film, the documentary is a harrowing look at the physical and emotional destruction inherent in early MMA. It’s widely considered one of the best combat sports docs ever made.

4. Why It Matters

For Dwayne Johnson, this is a calculated move to prove his range as a serious dramatic actor. After years of playing "invincible" heroes, he is playing a character who is profoundly vulnerable and broken. He even took a hiatus from other projects to train specifically in MMA to ensure the fight choreography was authentic.

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