Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared why the story of “Smashing Machine” deeply connects with him as a wrestler. Johnson portrayed Mark Carr, a two-time UFC champion, in Benny Safdie’s film “A24,” which premiered last October. The movie highlights Carr’s battle with opioid addiction during his martial arts career, a subject that caught Johnson’s attention during a discussion with actors at The Hollywood Reporter Actor Roundtable.
Johnson explained that he first encountered Mark Carr through the documentary “Smashing Machine” in the late 1990s while Carr was climbing the ranks. At that time, there was a close relationship between MMA and professional wrestling, with many MMA fighters trying professional wrestling to avoid injuries. Johnson noted that addiction was widespread in both sports, and he personally lost many friends to it, which made Carr’s story especially impactful.
The film’s premiere saw Johnson’s portrayal deeply move the audience, earning a 15-minute standing ovation, even though the movie grossed $21 million globally against its $50 million budget.
Fan Take: This story strikes a chord with WWE fans because it highlights the real struggles athletes face behind the scenes, reminding us of the human side of wrestling. Johnson’s connection to such a powerful narrative shows the sport’s potential to address serious issues while inspiring and uplifting its community.
