The Rock reacts to Golden Globe nomination
For Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, being nominated for a Golden Globe is proof that great things can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and take a risk.
It was revealed this morning that Johnson has received his first-ever Golden Globes nomination, taking one of the spots in the Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) category. He received the honor for his role playing MMA legend Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine” from A24 Films.
Along with showcasing Kerr’s story, taking on this role was about Johnson attempting to show he’s capable of more than the roles he’s often been pigeonholed into. He spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about what this award recognition means to him.
“A few things. One of them is the importance of listening to the little voice that sits behind your rib cage, that at times whispers to you, and at times pounds on your chest to say that you can do more, and there is more, and it can be scary,” Johnson said. “And it might be scary because it will require you to step out of a comfort zone. And when things are good, you don’t want to step out of that zone, because it’s going good.
“But there was more: I wanted to really push and challenge myself and chase that challenge. I had something very special to me, which was the story.”
Johnson added that, given Kerr’s inspirational story of overcoming addiction, he also views this nomination as a nod to everyone who has had to fight through difficult things in life.
“On top of that, I think the nomination represents the fight in everybody, especially with addictions and those demons that you battle,” Johnson said. “Mark Kerr had it all and lost everything, and then has since become sober. He did overdose twice. Life is good because he’s sober and because he made it. Not everyone is that lucky. That’s the movie that we wanted to make: a nod to those who fight.
“But last week, I thought, ‘Let me take a tally here.’ Over the last years, I’ve lost 15 friends who are all wrestlers and fighters to addiction. Some OD’d, some decided to check out. Life was too hard. It shook me, and then it restabilized me in a way like, ‘Okay, I’m so happy we made this film.’ It is a love letter to those that I just talked to you about. That’s why this nomination means so much.”
Johnson’s co-star in “The Smashing Machine,” Emily Blunt, earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as well. The film is from director Benny Safdie, who Johnson is already set to work with again.
Production began last month on the third and final installment of the rebooted “Jumanji” franchise that Johnson stars in.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.