Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was one of many celebrities donning the CU sideline for the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Sept. 16, 2023 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.

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Dwayne Johnson Moved To Tears After Venice Explodes With 15-Minute Ovation For The “Smashing Machine”

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was one of many celebrities donning the CU sideline for the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Sept. 16, 2023 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.

From wrestling rings to blockbuster action movies, Dwayne Johnson has pretty much done it all. The guy who once electrified WWE crowds transformed himself into one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors, starring in everything from Fast and Furious films to family comedies. But Johnson has always played it safe with crowd-pleasing characters that showcase his charm and muscles. He has built a career on being the dependable action hero who saves the day with a smile and a one-liner.

That’s what made his latest project so surprising and risky. Instead of another franchise film, Johnson chose to dive deep into serious dramatic territory with ‘The Smashing Machine.’ The A24 film tells the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the early UFC days. Kerr wasn’t just any fighter. He was a troubled champion who battled addiction and personal demons while dominating opponents in the octagon. For Johnson, this meant stripping away everything that made him famous: the muscles, the swagger, and the feel good entertainment. Instead, he had to become vulnerable, raw, and emotionally exposed in ways he had never attempted on screen.

Venice Crowd Delivers Career Defining Moment

The gamble paid off in the most emotional way possible at the Venice Film Festival. Johnson received a thunderous 15 minute standing ovation that left the usually composed superstar wiping away tears. Standing beside co-star Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and the real Mark Kerr himself, Johnson looked overwhelmed by the response.

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Johnson later admitted at a press conference that this role forced him to confront his own fears about acting. He confessed he had been scared to go deep and intense until this opportunity came along. The physical transformation alone showed his commitment. Fans noticed his dramatically leaner frame on the red carpet, a stark contrast to his usual superhero physique.

‘The Smashing Machine’ gave him a chance to answer that question by taking the biggest creative risk of his career. When the film hits theaters on October 3, audiences will see a side of ‘The Rock’ they have never experienced: vulnerable, broken, and completely human. If Venice is any indication, this could be the performance that finally gets Johnson the serious recognition he’s been quietly seeking all along.

(Image Credit: Cris Tiller – Imagn Images)

Dwayne Johnson

Mark Kerr

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!