‘The Smashing Machine' trailer: Dwayne Johnson transforms into UFC legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's biopic
Dwayne Johnson sheds his signature charisma for a rawness in the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, a biopic about UFC legend Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie in his solo feature debut, the A24 film offers a stripped-down portrait of the former MMA champion — and unveils Johnson as audiences have never seen him before.
Set to release on October 3, The Smashing Machine tells the story of Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion and four-time ADCC winner, whose rise to fame was matched by deeply personal battles with substance abuse and fractured relationships. The film is inspired by the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled Kerr's harrowing journey inside and outside the cage.
Joining Johnson is Emily Blunt, playing Kerr's wife Dawn Staples, in their second on-screen collaboration after Jungle Cruise. The supporting cast includes Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and Oleksandr Usyk.
In a statement to Variety, Johnson said, 'I'm at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter… that explore humanity, struggle, and pain.' He praised Safdie for creating stories that are 'raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting.'
Safdie, best known for co-directing Uncut Gems and Good Time, both critically acclaimed for their intensity and nerve, also wrote the screenplay and produces alongside Johnson, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, and David Koplan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
The Gilded Age Season 3 draws parallels between 1880s New York and today's billionaire boom
The Gilded Age is returning to HBO and Max for its highly anticipated third season on Sunday, June 22. The show is set to once again immerse viewers in the opulence and ambition of 1880s New York. But for creators Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield, the story's relevance extends far beyond the velvet drawing rooms of the past. It also connects to the ego-fueled billionaire culture of today, stated a report in the Boston Herald. The Gilded Age is back on HBO with a third season. According to the report, Fellowes, speaking at an event in Manhattan, reflected on the thematic parallels between the late 19th century's industrial tycoons and modern tech magnates such as Elon Musk. Best known for creating Downton Abbey, Fellowes highlighted how the historical narrative intersects with the current cultural climate. He said people in the Gilded Age were not trying to race toward the moon like billionaires such as Elon Musk are today. He, however, admitted that if they could, they would have. 'We're in another kind of ego world,' Fellowes was quoted as saying in the Boston Herald report. Writers highlight how prestige and self-preservation remain unchanged The third season continues to delve into themes of ambition, power, prestige, and human frailty. Fellowes added that the Gilded Age was similar to today's ego-driven world, except people were dressed in corsets and top hats. Co-writer Sonja Warfield noted that although the show is set in a different time, its central themes remain timeless. She added that the universal human experiences of love, death and marriage have stayed the same, regardless of the era. The show, which follows the fierce social battles between old-money families and ambitious new industrialists, explores how wealth was – and still is – used to gain cultural dominance. Fellowes noted that many 19th-century industrial tycoons, like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, only turned to philanthropy toward the end of their lives. He shared that the thought of the legacy they would leave behind struck them, which propelled them to start their art collections and donate libraries. The Gilded Age Season 3 streams June 22 on HBO and Max Season 3 of The Gilded Age picks up where Season 2 left off, continuing to chart the personal and political maneuverings of the Russell family and their rivals as they navigate a rapidly changing America – one marked by innovation, inequality and ambition. Season 3 will begin streaming on June 22 on HBO and Max. ALSO READ: Meet HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery renames streamer Max after two years FAQs What is the best series on HBO right now? The Gilded Age, Succession, The Last of Us and House of the Dragon are among HBO's most critically acclaimed recent series. Which is HBO's most-watched series? Game of Thrones holds the title as HBO's most-watched series, with record-breaking viewership worldwide. What are the top 10 best series of all time? Lists often include The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Succession, The Crown, The Gilded Age, Stranger Things and Fargo. What's the most trending series right now? As of June 2025, The Gilded Age Season 3, Ginny and Georand House of the Dragon are topping streaming charts.
Pink Villa
37 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
What Does JK Rowling Think of Upcoming HBO Harry Potter Series? Author Reveals Shocking Reaction to First 2 Episodes
Ahead of the anticipated release of HBO's series adaptation of the Harry Potter books, author and mastermind J.K. Rowling has reacted to the production's first two episodes. In an update on her X account, the creator of the series has hinted at the high-quality work that fans of the Wizarding World can expect in its release. She has praised the writing for the show, calling it 'so so, so good'. As more and more featured actors are confirmed in the show, it becomes important to note that the popularity has not died down for the characters. The original writer herself, J.K. Rowling, has taken to her social media to praise the production. Writing, 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' How will J.K. Rowling be involved in HBO's Harry Potter series? While the baseline of the program remains the seven books that have taken over fantasy fanatics since their release in the 90s, through to today, J.K. Rowling herself is not penning down the entire production herself. On being asked about her involvement, she settled down the rumors with, 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers.' While her definition of 'working closely' is not yet known, it is expected that she would be quite hands-on with her suggestions and modifications to the storyline, what with it being her self-created magical realm. The stories have not only spawned into box office hit films, but also taken form in plays, with the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway adaptation bringing on original cast member Tom Felton to reprise his role of Draco Malfoy as he plays the older version of his character. Some very crucial roles have been cast so far, with John Lithgow playing Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The casting for the main roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley has also been fixed. Details like the filming schedule are yet to be confirmed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NYT Connections Hints and Answers for puzzle #742 for today, June 22, 2025
The New York Times' daily Connections puzzle remains a favorite among word game fans. Each day, players must group 16 words into four sets based on shared meanings or patterns. Puzzle #742 for June 22, 2025, brings another round of wordplay. Hints and Answers for Puzzle #742 News Terms Group This group includes words used in broadcasting or public communication. These words are commonly linked to media reports and alerts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Feni Sadar: Scholarships You Can Apply For (Start Now) Google Search Search Now Undo Bulletin Flash Report Wire Live Events Also Read: What to Watch This Weekend: Here's the complete list Words from Declaration of Independence This group contains terms found in a well-known line of the American Declaration of Independence. These are often used in the context of rights and ideals. Happiness Liberty Life Pursuit HBO Television Shows This group features titles of popular series aired on the HBO network. These shows are known for strong audience engagement and high ratings. Entourage Euphoria Insecure Succession Different Senses of the Word 'Left' These words carry meanings that relate to 'left,' whether in direction, departure, or remaining presence. Departed Port Progressive Remaining Also Read: Iran hackers launch cyber attack on Albania's capital Tirana. Here is the reason Understanding NYT Connections Gameplay The puzzle presents a 4x4 grid of words. Players must select four words that form a group based on a shared link. They repeat the process until all four groups are found. Color codes help define difficulty: Yellow: Simple or direct group Green: Slightly harder Blue: Even more complex Purple: Most abstract or subtle group Solving Tips Begin with the clearest connections. Use the shuffle tool to see new word patterns. Be cautious of similar meanings that fit more than one group. Try thinking in categories like media, emotions, or directions. FAQs What makes NYT Connections Puzzle #742 hard to solve? The use of abstract categories like 'left' and TV show titles can confuse players and cause overlap in guesses. Can I use hints while solving NYT Connections puzzles? No direct hints are available in-game, but players often rely on shuffle, word elimination, or thematic thinking to solve.
