The Smashing Machine Movie (2025) – Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer, Poster, Budget, Collection, Review
The Smashing Machine Trailer, Teaser & Videos
The Smashing Machine Poster & Photos
The Smashing Machine Movie Details
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Taglines | The unforgettable true story of a UFC legend. |
| Genres | Action, Biography, Drama, Sport |
| Release date | October 3, 2025 |
| Running time | TBA |
| Age rating | TBA |
| Starring | Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, Oleksandr Usyk |
| Directed by | Benny Safdie |
| Written by | Benny Safdie |
| Produced by | Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, David Koplan |
| Cinematography by | Maceo Bishop |
| Edited by | Benny Safdie |
| Music by | Nala Sinephro |
| Casting by | Jennifer Venditti |
| Production Design by | James Chinlund |
| Art Direction by | Trinity Tad Davis, Matthew Gatlin, Masami Tanaka |
| Set Decoration by | Marcia Calosio, Shannon Gottlieb, Mike Keel, Frank Okay |
| Costume Design by | Heidi Bivens |
| Production Company | A24 Out for the Count Seven Bucks Productions Magnetic Fields Entertainment |
| Distributor | A24 |
About The Smashing Machine Movie
The Smashing Machine is an upcoming American biographical sports drama film that Benny Safdie wrote, directed, co-produced, and edited. The film is based on the life and career of Mark Kerr and inspired by the 2002 documentary with the same name.
The film was announced in December 2023 as being in development at A24, with Benny Safdie set to write and direct, and Dwayne Johnson attached to star.
At the 2024 Academy Awards, Johnson confirmed that Emily Blunt would play Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples in the film. In May 2024, Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Zoe Kosovic joined the cast.
The Smashing Machine marks the Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt second collaboration after the 2021 film “Jungle Cruise.” Johnson and Blunt are also set to star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in an upcoming crime thriller, set in Hawaii, to be directed by Martin Scorsese.
The principal photography took place from May 21 to August 7, 2024, at various locations including New Mexico, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Cinematographer Maceo Bishop, who collaborated with Safdie on The Curse (2023–2024), filmed the picture with 16mm film. Later that year, Johnson tweeted that the score would be composed by Belgian musician Nala Sinephro.
The first trailer for the film was released on April 29, 2025.
On Monday, Kerr posted about the upcoming biopic on Instagram, writing in the caption, “I am still in disbelief that this is real. I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for ever litlle [sic] detail production uncovered. Can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”
The Smashing Machine Cast & Characters
- Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
- Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples
- Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman
- Bas Rutten as himself
- Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn
- Lyndsey Gavin as Elizabeth Coleman
- Satoshi Ishii as Enson Inoue
- James Moontasri as Akira Shoji
- Yoko Hamamura as Kazuyuki Fujita
- Stephen Quadros as himself
- Paul Cheng as Masaaki Satake
- Cyborg Abreu as Fábio Gurgel
- Andre Tricoteux as Paul Varelans
- Marcus Aurélio as Mestre Hulk
- Whitney Moore as Jacqueline
- Paul Lazenby as Hans Nijman
- Olga Dzyurak as Igor’s Translator
- Ryan Ventura as Pride FC Ring Announcer
- Zoe Kosovic as McKenzie Coleman
The Smashing Machine Storyline (Plot)
Dwayne “THE ROCK” Johnson will portray former MMA/UFC champion Mark Kerr aka “The Smashing Machine” in a story based on the true events surrounding Kerr’s life and rise through the MMA world which was unfortunately derailed by his opioid addiction.
The Smashing Machine Movie Release Date
The Smashing Machine is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 3, 2025.
The Smashing Machine – Where to Watch and Stream
The most anticipated biographical sports drama The Smashing Machine will be theatrically released worldwide on October 3, 2025. It stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples in the tutor role.
The Smashing Machine Movie Budget
A Biographical action sport drama, The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson, has a reported budget of $40 million. The film is produced by Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and David Koplan under the banner of A24, Out for the Count, Seven Bucks Productions, and Magnetic Fields Entertainment.
The Smashing Machine Movie FAQs
Who is the director of The Smashing Machine movie?
The Smashing Machine is directed, written, co-produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. The biopic marks Safdie’s solo directorial feature debut from a script he wrote. He previously co-directed and wrote the films “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time.”
Who is the writer of The Smashing Machine movie?
The much-awaited biographical sports drama The Smashing Machine is written by Benny Safdie, based on the real-life story of MMA/UFC champion Mark Kerr aka “The Smashing Machine.”
Who are the lead actors in The Smashing Machine movie?
It stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and two-time UFC heavyweight champion MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles.
When will The Smashing Machine be released?
The Smashing Machine will be theatrically released wordwide on October 3, 2025.
Where to watch The Smashing Machine movie?
The Smashing Machine will theatrically released on October 3, 2025.
Where to watch The Smashing Machine movie online?
The Smashing Machine is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on October 3, 2025. While the film will be available for streaming after its run in theaters, the producers have yet to announce any official details. Stay tuned—we’ll update this section as soon as more information becomes available.
Is The Smashing Machine based on a true story?
The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama film based on Mark Kerr, the real-life two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion who was the subject of the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name that detailed Kerr’s journey and struggles with addiction to pain killers.
The film stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples
Is there a trailer for The Smashing Machine?
There is. On April 29, 2025, the first trailer for the film was released by A24. You can watch it above in this article.
Is there a photos for The Smashing Machine?
A24 officially launched its promotional campaign the day before the release of the first trailer. We’ve also gathered a few exclusive photos from the film, which you can view above in this article.
Who is Mark Kerr?
Mark Kerr (born December 21, 1968) is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist. During his MMA career, he was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, and a PRIDE FC competitor.