New trailer released for The Rock’s ‘Smashing Machine’ movie

To hype the movie’s fast-approaching release, A24 has released a new trailer for its film “The Smashing Machine” — starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr.

The film is set to be released on October 3 of this year. It marks a potential turning point in Johnson’s Hollywood career as he looks to show people he can be more than just a blockbuster star chasing box office numbers. Johnson plays the soft-spoken Kerr in a movie that tells the story of Kerr’s MMA stardom, his battle with painkiller addiction, and his relationship with his wife Dawn.

“The Smashing Machine” is directed and written by Benny Safdie, with Emily Blunt starring opposite Johnson. The movie received a standing ovation at the recent Venice International Film Festival. There has been buzz about Johnson potentially receiving award nominations for his performance.

After gaining muscle for the “Smashing Machine” role, Johnson has dropped a dramatic amount of weight for an upcoming role in another movie from director Safdie.

Johnson is also attached to star in a planned Hawaiian mob film directed by Martin Scorsese.

In WWE, Johnson was part of John Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber this March but then took a step back from the angle without any direct follow-up. Cena turned back babyface over the summer.