Dwayne Johnson says The Smashing Machine is the role he’s been waiting for

Dwayne Johnson is stepping into new territory with what he calls the most ambitious role of his career.

The actor, 53, reflected on portraying real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming drama The Smashing Machine.  

Known for blockbuster hits and action-heavy roles, Johnson said this project gave him the chance to explore a deeper side of acting.

In a recent interview on CBS’s Sunday Morning, the actor reflects on his role.

“For years, I’ve been dreaming and hoping,” Johnson told correspondent Tracy Smith.

“My desire was to play not only a dramatic role, but something that I felt like I could really sink my teeth into, and rip myself open.”

The film required a complete transformation, including three hours of makeup and prosthetics daily.

Johnson admitted that once the opportunity became real, fear set in. “On day one, Benny Safdie and Emily Blunt came to me and asked, ‘Are you scared?’ And I said, ‘Yes. Absolutely.’”

Blunt, who co-stars as Kerr’s wife, previously worked with Johnson on Disney’s Jungle Cruise.

But this collaboration, Johnson said, was unlike anything he’s done before.

For inspiration, he often drew from his own life. In one scene, where Kerr loses a fight and faces despair, Johnson recalled the pain of being evicted with his mother at age 15.

“I went back to what it’s like being a kid, coming home and being evicted,” he said.

“The thing I was running from, ripping myself open, was actually the thing I needed the most.”

Johnson also spoke about how his priorities have shifted. After years of chasing box office success, he now seeks fulfillment in storytelling.

“It’s not just a new chapter,” he explained. “It’s a whole new book. And I love it.”

Though Oscar buzz has already begun, Johnson brushed it off, saying he still sees himself as “a trailer park kid.” For now, he is focused on gratitude, family life, and preparing for future projects, including another Moana film and more dramatic work.