The Rock thanks ‘Smashing Machine’ viewers, says he can’t control box office
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is expressing gratitude for everyone who has taken time to go see his new movie.
With Johnson starring as MMA legend Mark Kerr, “The Smashing Machine” opened over the weekend. The results at the box office were underwhelming, but the movie marks a significant turn in Johnson’s acting career. He has received award buzz for his performance and is looking to prove that he’s capable of more as an actor instead of just being pigeonholed into one lane.
Johnson doubled down on that path in his Instagram post, saying he plans to explore more opportunities like this.
- From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine’.
- In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere.
- And I will always run to that opportunity.
- It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie @bowedtie. Thank you brother for believing in me.
- Truth is this film has changed my life.
- With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy,
- dj
“The Smashing Machine” is from A24 Films and director Benny Safdie. Johnson plays the soft-spoken Kerr in a role that explores Kerr’s MMA stardom, his battle with painkiller addiction, and his relationship with his wife Dawn.
Johnson and Safdie are already set to work together again on a film titled “Lizard Music.”
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.