Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, is stepping into the octagon for his next role, playing UFC pioneer Mark Kerr in A24’s The Smashing Machine. In a revealing Vanity Fair interview, Johnson shared the overwhelming fear and self-doubt he faced while preparing to embody Kerr’s complex life. The film, set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, captures Kerr’s rise and struggles, and Johnson’s emotional journey shows the personal toll of taking on such a raw role.
Overcoming Deep-Seated Fear
Johnson admitted the role stirred fears he hadn’t felt in years.
“It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this?’” he said.
This vulnerability was new for Johnson, a global star known for his confidence, and it pushed him to confront his limits as an actor.
He saw the project as a chance to break free from his fears.
“I realized that maybe these opportunities weren’t coming my way because I was too scared to explore this stuff… I was so hungry for an opportunity to do something raw and gritty and rip myself open,” he continued.
Johnson’s desire to tackle a challenging, emotional role drove him to embrace the discomfort of portraying Kerr’s turbulent life.
The transformation process was grueling.
“I just sat in front of the mirror for three or four hours and watched it all change. There were about 13 or 14 different prosthetics. Subtle, yet I think very impactful. By the time I got set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it, from how he walked and how he talked and how he looked at life,” he said.
Spending hours under prosthetics to mimic Kerr’s appearance and mindset was a test of endurance, amplifying his initial fears but ultimately helping him fully become the MMA legend.
Mark Kerr was a wrestling standout at Syracuse University, winning an NCAA Division I title in 1992. He entered MMA in 1997, competing in the UFC, Pride FC, and other promotions. Known for his punishing ground-and-pound, Kerr won the UFC 14 and 15 heavyweight tournaments in 1997 and four ADCC World Championships (1999-2001). His record stands at 20-11, with 13 wins by knockout or submission.Kerr’s career was overshadowed by opioid addiction, chronicled in the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine. Injuries and personal struggles led to his decline, with his last notable fight in 2008. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in June 2025, with Johnson presenting the award, a moment that deepened their connection before the film’s release.
Johnson played football at the University of Miami, winning a national championship in 1991. He became a WWE star in the late 1990s, then transitioned to Hollywood with roles in The Scorpion King (2002), Fast & Furious, and Moana. In January 2024, he joined the board of TKO Holdings, formed after the UFC-WWE merger, strengthening his ties to MMA. Johnson’s love for MMA runs deep. In 2019, he presented the BMF title to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. On The Joe Rogan Experience in 2023, he revealed he nearly fought in Pride FC in 1997, discussing it with Kerr and Ken Shamrock during a tough WWE period. For The Smashing Machine, Johnson underwent a full MMA fight camp, training to replicate Kerr’s fighting style, which added to the fear and pressure of capturing his essence authentically.
