A24 unveiled the first official poster for The Smashing Machine on April 28 2025, showcasing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as MMA icon Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the biopic chronicles Kerr’s rise as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and his struggles with addiction and personal challenges. Set for an October 3 2025 theatrical release, the poster features Johnson with a focused stare, hinting at the raw emotion of Kerr’s story. Fans and UFC figures are already hyping the film, with UFC CEO Dana White predicting an Oscar-worthy performance.
The poster, shared by A24 and DiscussingFilm on X, shows Johnson in a fighting stance, fists raised, capturing Kerr’s intensity. “The Rock will kill this, he will nail this role,” White told Collider, praising Johnson’s dedication, including MMA training that led to an elbow injury. Posts on X echo excitement, with WrestlingInc calling it a “teaser poster” that highlights Johnson’s transformation, complete with a wig to match Kerr’s look.
Official poster for THE SMASHING MACHINE — the trailer for the film drops tomorrow. #UFC #TheSmashingMachine pic.twitter.com/mL7OX5bhHv
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) April 28, 2025
The Smashing Machine is really setting the bar high…an unrecognizable Dwayne Johnson looks to give the best performance of his career, helmed by Benny Safdie produced by A24…yeah I can’t see Zack Snyder’s BRAWLER topping this… pic.twitter.com/zUEgsLhHV3
— Christopher A. Padilla @filmagestudios.bsky.social (@FilmAgeStudios) April 29, 2025
A Glimpse into Mark Kerr’s Legacy and Film’s Promise
Mark Kerr, born December 21 1968, dominated early MMA with a 15-11 record, including 4-0 with four finishes in UFC 14 and 15 in 1997. A 1992 NCAA wrestling champion and four-time ADCC World Submission Champion, Kerr also won the World Vale Tudo Championship and competed in PRIDE FC. His 2002 HBO documentary, The Smashing Machine, detailed his battles with painkiller addiction, a theme the A24 film, co-written by Safdie, will explore alongside his victories and relationships.
The cast includes Emily Blunt as Kerr’s ex-wife Dawn Staples, Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn, and MMA veterans like Bas Rutten and Ryan Bader. Johnson, 52, trained rigorously, posting MMA camp footage on Instagram in May 2024, saying, “I’m learning daily and it’s been a humbling, intense journey.” Early screenings, however, sparked mixed reactions, with WorldofReel reporting Johnson’s performance feels tonally off, though Safdie’s unconventional style may surprise audiences.
