Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK
The first poster for the Benny Safdie directed film The Smashing Machine, which stars The Rock as former UFC fighter Mark Kerr, has been released. The Smashing Machine is being released by A24, marking The Rock’s first collaboration with the acclaimed studio.
Set to be released in movie theaters on October 3, stars Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as former UFC fighter Mark Kerr, who was also an NCAA Division 1 and wrestling World Cup champion. In 2002, an HBO documentary of the same name focused on Kerr’s career, struggles with substance abuse, and relationships with his girlfriends, training partners, and fellow UFC fighter with Mark Coleman.
In addition to The Rock, The Smashing Machine also stars Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, his girlfriend at the time of the film’s events. Safdie is known for directing the films Good Time and Uncut Gems, which he helmed with his brother Josh (who’s directing Timothee Chalamet in A24’s Marty Supreme, also releasing later this year).
Ahead of the release of the first trailer for the film, A24 dropped the first poster for The Smashing Machine which provides the best look yet at Johnson as Kerr.
Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE. Trailer tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/bEHD38doqQ
— A24 (@A24) April 28, 2025
The Smashing Machine marks a notable career pivot for The Rock, whose spent the previous decade strictly making action films. This new adjusted career path for The Rock will seemingly continue after The Smashing Machine, as he’s also attached to star in a Martin Scorsese Hawaii-set crime film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt.
Make sure to check back tomorrow for the release of the first official trailer for The Smashing Machine.