Movies

'Smashing Machine' trailer: Dwayne Johnson plays UFC legend Mark Kerr

By Jessica Inman   |   April 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the new film "The Smashing Machine." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Dwayne Johnson arrives on the red carpet at the premiere of Amazon MGM Studios' "Red One" in November. File Photo byJohn Angelillo/UPI Emily Blunt arrives on the red carpet for Paramount's "If" New York premiere in May. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Cast member Emily Blunt attends the premiere of the dramatic comedy motion picture "The Fall Guy" in 2024. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Dwayne Johnson, also known as "The Rock", is Grand Marshal for the Daytona 500 in 2024. File Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI

April 29 (UPI) -- A24 is previewing The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr.

The trailer, released Tuesday, opens with Kerr (Johnson) sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office.

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"Probably looking at my eyes," he remarks to the room.

"How did that happen?" a woman asks.

"Well, have you ever heard of the Ultimate Fighting Championship?" Kerr responds. "The UFC?"

"That's the bloody thing they're trying to ban," she answers.

The biopic also stars Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, who was married to Kerr.

Benny Safdie, known for his work on Uncut Gems, penned the script and directed the new film.

The Smashing Machine hits theaters Oct. 3.