Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are back as co-stars since they last shared the spotlight in Jungle Cruise, though they’ll play very different roles this time in A24’s The Smashing Machine, a film based off the real-life story of UFC heavyweight tournament champion Mark Kerr.
Blunt will play Dawn Staples, Mark Kerr’s ex-wife who struggles to find her place in Mark’s chaotic and unpredictable world, and Johnson stars in the lead role as Kerr. Kerr is a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion who was previously featured in a HBO documentary of the same name, covering Kerr’s struggle with substance abuse, relationships, and his triumphs in the Octagon.
Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson starring in The Smashing Machine is a promising development for studio A24, which has high hopes for the film. Director Benny Safdie will also make his theatrical debut with the film’s release.
No release date has been announced for the film yet, but more details are expected to surface soon.