Dwayne Johnson’s Career Path Takes a New Turn with Upcoming Projects – Including “The Smashing Machine,” Where the Former WWE Star is Nearly Unrecognizable
Breaking into the Hollywood scene in 2011 with his role in “Fast 5,” The Rock has since been a leading figure in the film industry, amassing a legion of supporters and situating himself as one of the highest-paid actors of all time.
Though his career has been undeniably prosperous, he’s largely been confined to the action-blockbuster blueprint and hasn’t had many chances to show off his ability in dramatic roles. However, several of his upcoming projects seem to point to a change coming for the former WWE personality.
Critics Call for More Range From The Rock
Despite being one of the biggest Hollywood stars of our time, Johnson has long battled criticism for the roles he pursues, with many fans and critics alike noting that he always plays the same character in his movies – the strong-armed, tough-guy hero tasked with saving the world from some cataclysmic threat, typically coercing a few laughs along the way.
Though it’s a formula that usually works – nearly all of Johnson’s films have been smash hits – it’s one that has become slightly stale in recent years, both for the fans and, clearly, for The Rock himself.
“The Smashing Machine” Signals a Bold Shift
The first wave signaling the changing tides of Johnson’s career came with the trailer for “The Smashing Machine” – an A24 backed film starring Johnson as MMA fighting legend, Mark Kerr – slated for release on October 3rd.
The trailer shows a rugged and heavily altered (and nearly unrecognizable) Johnson like we’ve never seen before, in more ways than one. Despite being an MMA-focused film, “The Smashing Machine” is a psychological exploration of the famed fighter’s life and struggle with substance abuse, which is a pretty notable tonal shift from Johnson’s typical action-centered, surface-level movie roles.
A24 and Prestige Projects Reshape Johnson’s Image
A24 is widely known as an indie production company, specializing in arthouse and drama-based films, and “The Smashing Machine” will mark their first collaboration with The Rock, though it won’t be the last.
Johnson has already committed to starring in another A24 film called “Breakthrough,” a psychological thriller where he plays a motivational guru. He’s also been cast in a Martin Scorsese film alongside Emily Blunt and Leonardo DiCaprio, so it would seem that Johnson is trying to break out of his action-blockbuster stagnancy, shifting his focus to more avant-garde quality projects.
Back in the Ring—But With New Purpose
It’s only fitting that Johnson’s springboard into the world of dramatic acting comes with a movie like “The Smashing Machine.” Even though it’s a role like nothing he’s tackled before, it feels familiar and almost a full-circle moment having him back in the ring. Though WWE and MMA couldn’t be more different, Johnson’s portrayal of the real-life fighter is likely to be grounded in his own experience in WWE theatrics – making him the perfect candidate for “The Smashing Machine,” while allowing him the opportunity to show off his acting chops and set the stage for a new era of Dwayne Johnson, the ‘serious actor.’
