Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of Hollywood’s most bankable action stars, is stepping outside his blockbuster persona with his latest film, “The Smashing Machine,” which received a 15-minute standing ovation at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
The film sees Johnson portraying Mark Kerr, a former MMA and UFC fighter whose life was marked by both athletic triumphs and personal struggles, including substance abuse. The role represents a stark departure from the charismatic, action-driven characters that made Johnson a global box-office draw in franchises such as Fast & Furious, San Andreas, and Skyscraper.
Breaking the Mold
Speaking in Venice, Johnson admitted he felt “pigeon-holed” by Hollywood into a narrow lane of big-budget action films, often dictated by commercial expectations.
“A lot of times, it’s harder for us, or at least for me, to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeon-holed into something,” he said. “This is your lane. This is what you do, and this is what Hollywood wants you to be. And I understood that. And I made those movies. Some did really well, while others didn’t do so well. But I had this burning desire that said, ‘What if there is more?’”
A New Chapter
At 53, Johnson is actively reshaping his career trajectory. While maintaining ties to the sports world—he sits on the board of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC—he is embracing more layered roles that test his range as an actor.
Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine is already being described as one of Johnson’s most compelling performances, blending raw physicality with deep emotional vulnerability.
The film will next premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8 before rolling out in the United States and the United Kingdom later this year.
Beyond the Big Screen
Outside of film, Johnson remains visible in mainstream entertainment. He is set to return for the upcoming season of ESPN’s football talk show “Manningcast”, underscoring his ability to straddle multiple industries from sports to Hollywood.
With The Smashing Machine, Johnson is signalling a deliberate shift away from formula-driven blockbusters, showing that even Hollywood’s most recognizable figures can choose reinvention over repetition.
