Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson may be heading toward his biggest career milestone yet, but this time it has nothing to do with box office numbers or action sequences. Critics are tipping Johnson for his first Oscar nomination after his dramatic performance in “The Smashing Machine” earned rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival.
The 53-year-old actor steps away from his blockbuster comfort zone to portray UFC fighter Mark Kerr in this gritty sports drama. Johnson’s raw and vulnerable performance has been described as “a revelation” by critics, with many noting how he completely transforms into the character rather than playing his typical larger-than-life persona.
This dramatic shift represents Johnson’s deliberate move to challenge himself artistically after years of being typecast in big-budget action films. The film received a 15-minute standing ovation at Venice, bringing Johnson to tears and signaling that Hollywood may finally see him as a serious dramatic actor capable of awards recognition.
Key Takeaways – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Getting 1st Oscar Nod
- Johnson delivers a career-defining dramatic performance as UFC fighter Mark Kerr that has critics calling it Oscar-worthy
- The actor deliberately chose this challenging role to break away from his blockbuster action movie image
- Early reviews and festival reception suggest Johnson has a real chance at his first Academy Award nomination
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Transformative Role in The Smashing Machine
Dwayne Johnson underwent his most dramatic career transformation to portray troubled UFC fighter Mark Kerr, losing significant weight and embracing vulnerability. The role required extensive physical changes, emotional depth, and advanced prosthetics to bring the MMA legend’s story to life.
Portraying UFC Fighter Mark Kerr
Johnson takes on the complex role of Mark Kerr, a pioneering MMA fighter known as “The Smashing Machine.” Kerr dominated the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The character presents unique challenges beyond typical action roles. Kerr struggled with painkiller addiction and personal demons throughout his fighting career.
Johnson had to capture both Kerr’s physical dominance in the octagon and his vulnerability outside it. The role required him to show a troubled athlete battling substance abuse while maintaining his competitive edge.
The brutal true story behind the film explores Kerr’s rise and fall in professional fighting. Johnson worked to honor the real fighter’s experiences while bringing authenticity to the performance.
The actor had to learn MMA techniques and fighting styles specific to Kerr’s era. This meant studying footage of actual fights and understanding the technical aspects of ground fighting and submission holds.
Physical and Emotional Transformation
Johnson lost 60 pounds for the role while promoting the film at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. This weight loss marked a significant departure from his typical muscular physique.
The physical transformation went beyond simple weight loss. Johnson had to reshape his body to match Kerr’s fighting build from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Johnson called the role “so scary” due to its emotional demands. The actor had to portray addiction, pain, and personal struggles he had never explored on screen.
The training regimen included brutal MMA preparation that left Johnson dealing with injuries during filming. He worked with professional MMA coaches to learn authentic fighting techniques.
Key Physical Changes:
- 60-pound weight loss
- Leaner muscle mass
- Period-appropriate fighting physique
- Authentic MMA conditioning
Makeup, Prosthetics, and Kazu Hiro’s Influence
The 52-year-old actor wore facial prosthetics to more closely resemble Mark Kerr. These prosthetics helped create an almost unrecognizable version of Johnson.
Makeup artist Kazu Hiro contributed to Johnson’s transformation. Hiro is known for his Oscar-winning work on films like “Bombshell” and “Darkest Hour.”
The prosthetics focused on facial structure changes to match Kerr’s appearance during his fighting prime. This included subtle alterations to Johnson’s nose, cheekbones, and jawline.
The makeup process required hours of daily application during filming. Johnson had to sit through lengthy makeup sessions to achieve the authentic look needed for each scene.
Prosthetic Elements:
- Facial structure modifications
- Skin texture changes
- Period-accurate appearance
- Fight damage effects
The transformation extended beyond physical appearance to include body language and mannerisms specific to Mark Kerr’s fighting style and personality.
Oscar Buzz and Awards Potential
Dwayne Johnson’s performance in “The Smashing Machine” has generated significant Academy Award speculation, with industry publications positioning him as a frontrunner for Best Actor. The film’s Venice Film Festival premiere and A24’s distribution deal have strengthened predictions for his first Oscar nomination.
Critical Reception and Oscar Predictions
Awards pundits began speculating about Johnson’s Oscar potential months before the film’s release, initially based only on a single photograph of his physical transformation. Variety has spotlighted Johnson as one of the frontrunners for Best Actor in their latest Awards Circuit predictions.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2025. The reception brought Johnson to tears and created serious Oscar buzz for the former WWE champion.
Industry experts note that Johnson’s dramatic transformation fits a proven Academy Awards pattern. Multiple recent Oscar winners have been recognized for playing real-life figures while also receiving nominations for hair and makeup, including Gary Oldman, Brendan Fraser, and Emma Stone.
The biographical sports drama approach has historically appealed to Academy voters. Previous Oscar nominees for playing fighters include Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Will Smith (Ali), and Hilary Swank who won for Million Dollar Baby.
Benny Safdie’s Direction and A24’s Award History
Benny Safdie directs The Smashing Machine as his first solo project without brother Josh Safdie. The Safdie Brothers previously earned critical acclaim for Uncut Gems, demonstrating their ability to extract powerful dramatic performances from unexpected casting choices.
A24’s awards track record strengthens the film’s Oscar potential significantly. The studio has produced numerous Academy Award winners and nominees, including Moonlight, Lady Bird, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The film is “engineered for festival impact and year-end lists” according to industry observers. A24’s strategic release timing positions the movie perfectly for awards season consideration.
Safdie’s approach focuses on Johnson’s complete physical and emotional transformation. The director noted that Johnson could walk among crew members unrecognized, with people asking when “The Rock” would arrive on set.
Official Trailer and Fan Reactions
A24 released the first official trailer, immediately intensifying awards speculation from entertainment journalists. The trailer showcases Johnson’s dramatic departure from typical action roles.
Fan response has been overwhelmingly positive regarding Johnson’s Oscar chances. One fan commented “Looks awesome. I can smell some awards cooking” on Johnson’s social media posts about the film.
The trailer reveals a grounded, emotionally demanding performance that contrasts sharply with Johnson’s blockbuster work in franchises like Fast and Furious and Jumanji. This represents a clear pivot point in his career trajectory.
Emily Blunt co-stars in the film, adding another accomplished performer to strengthen the overall production’s awards credibility. Both Johnson and Blunt could secure significant recognition if the Venice reception matches industry anticipation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine” represents a major shift from his typical blockbuster roles. Oscar prognosticators are already predicting three nominations for the A24 film, including Best Actor for Johnson.
What notable performance by Dwayne Johnson could lead to his first Oscar nomination?
Johnson’s portrayal of troubled MMA legend Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine” is generating significant Oscar buzz. The role explores Kerr’s difficult year in 2000 when substance abuse and personal problems nearly ended his career.
Industry experts are calling this Johnson’s most dramatic role to date. The performance marks a complete departure from his usual action-hero characters.
For which film is Dwayne Johnson receiving Oscar buzz?
“The Smashing Machine” is the A24 film generating award season speculation for Johnson. The movie adapts the 2002 documentary about MMA fighter Mark Kerr’s struggles.
Awards pundits and journalists began speculating about Oscar potential immediately after the first trailer release. The film features Emily Blunt in a supporting role as Kerr’s girlfriend.
What role did Dwayne Johnson portray in ‘The Smashing Machine’ that’s generating award nomination discussions?
Johnson plays Mark Kerr, a legendary MMA fighter known as “The Smashing Machine.” The role focuses on Kerr’s personal demons and addiction struggles during a pivotal year in his career.
The character represents a dramatic shift for Johnson. He appears nearly unrecognizable in his transformation into the troubled fighter.
How has Dwayne Johnson’s acting technique evolved in ‘The Smashing Machine’?
Johnson has moved away from his typical charismatic action-hero persona for this role. The performance requires him to portray vulnerability and internal conflict rather than physical strength.
Industry insiders note this dramatic departure could establish Johnson as a serious dramatic actor. The role demands emotional depth and psychological complexity.
What elements of ‘The Smashing Machine’ are considered Oscar-worthy?
The film’s exploration of addiction and personal struggle provides serious dramatic material. A24’s involvement adds credibility as the studio is known for award-winning independent films.
Dave Meltzer reported that Oscar experts predict three nominations for the film. The predictions include Best Picture, Best Actor for Johnson, and Best Supporting Actress for Emily Blunt.
How does ‘The Smashing Machine’ differ from Dwayne Johnson’s previous films in terms of critical acclaim?
Johnson’s previous films focused primarily on box office success rather than critical recognition. He acknowledged being pigeonholed as a blockbuster-only actor before this dramatic role.
“The Smashing Machine” represents his first serious Oscar contender. The A24 production focuses on character development and dramatic storytelling rather than action sequences and special effects.
