‘The Smashing Machine’ will be written and directed by Benny Safdie.
Image via Disney
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The Big Picture
Emily Blunt is in talks to star opposite Dwayne Johnson in A24’s
The Smashing Machine
.
The film will depict the life of heavyweight MMA fighter Mark Kerr and his battle with drug addiction.
The Smashing Machine
is based on the true story of Kerr, a two-time UFC champion, and is written and directed by Bennie Safdie.
Emily Blunt starred alongside Dwayne Johnson in Disney’s Jungle Cruise adaptation, and now the acclaimed actress is getting ready to join the call sheet with him again. Blunt is in talks to star opposite Johnson in A24’s The Smashing Machine. The film will tell the true story of a mixed martial artist and will be directed by Bennie Safdie.
The Smashing Machine will depict the life of Mark Kerr, a heavyweight MMA fighter and two-time UFC champion. Kerr endured a battle with drug addiction and painkillers throughout his career, and the film is expected to feature this addiction as one of its main aspects. If the deal closes, Blunt will portray Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife. The title of the film refers to Kerr’s well-publicized nickname in the ring. The film has become somewhat of a passion project for Johnson, who himself first rose to stardom as the professional wrestler The Rock in the WWE. Johnson first announced back in 2019 that he was teaming up with Safdie to tell Kerr’s story.
With Blunt coming onboard, Safie now has a pair of bonafide stars to help tell Kerr’s story. Safdie, also known for his acting chops and collaborations with his brother Joshua Safdie, will helm The Smashing Machine from a self-written script. The A24 film will also be produced by Safdie for his Out for the Count banner alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions. Eli Bush and David Koplan are additional producers.