‘3 to 4 hours a day’: How Dwayne Johnson transformed into the lead role in Smashing Machine

Can we imagine a movie like Smashing Machine without Dwayne Johnson? Not really, no, because the ex-wrestler-turned-actor seems born to play mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Carrey, as the parts of the story dealing with body-related suffering or the sacrifices one must make for one’s art echo the career of the man who was still called The Rock when he debuted.

Such evidence that it was Dwayne Johnson himself who approached Benny Safdie in 2019 to play the role. But that’s not all, and if he didn’t know about it before, the actor quickly realized: “I’ve never worked so hard for a role”He also said ESPN During the round table organized within the promotion of Smashing Machine. Before and during filming.

“The physical aspect is only part of a larger process”

If filming begins in May 2024, Dwayne Johnson has already started stepping into Mark Carrey’s shoes. After twelve intense weeks leading up to WrestleMania 40, which took place on April 6 and 7 last year and marked The Rock’s big return to the ring, the latter is taking a ten-day break before starting preparations for Benny Safed’s first feature film without his brother Josh.

Then his days break down like this: starting with a little cardio on an empty stomach and continuing with weightlifting after lunch, fifteen to thirty minutes of cardio, and sixty to ninety minutes of fighting in the ring or mixed martial arts cage to wrap everything up before starting the next day again. Don’t forget to immortalize it on social networks.

“I’m learning every day and it’s been a humbling, intense and motivating journey to immerse myself in this world of fighting and become Mark Carrey – two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship Champion and Vale Tudo World Champion.”He wrote in early May 2024, shortly before filming began, sharing pictures from the first day of training.

“I’m a hard worker, but I realized that this role would require me to work harder than anything I’ve ever worked on in my life. The physical aspect is just part of a bigger process, which is also part of teamwork.”

And Dwayne Johnson didn’t think he said it so well when he described the role as his biggest challenge, on every level. Not content with following this drastic training, the actor also worked with a vocal coach so that his voice matched that of Mark Carrey, softer and gentler, and the complete abandonment of the character continued on set. Not only thanks to the tequila that was available to the actors before the darkest scenes between the main character and his wife, played by Emily Blunt, as revealed by the latter.

The actor actually spent a lot of time, every day, becoming Mark Carrey thanks to twenty prosthetics designed by Kazu Hiro, twice awarded an Oscar for his work on Scandal and Darkest Hours (Gary Oldman’s transformation into Winston Churchill, that’s it): “In particular were his eyes, eyebrows, nose and ears”Director and screenwriter Benny Safdi explains on this topic. “Then we had to hide his tattoos, but added the three that Mark had, as well as the scars, especially on his knees.”

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“There was a lot going on, not to mention the hair, so she needed three-and-a-half to four hours a day of make-up to get into character. The process was very intense, but I think it allowed her to really immerse herself in the role and focus. In a case like this, and especially for someone like her, time to yourself is very important.” And effective, as Emily Blunt’s reaction when she first sees him transformed proves: “Oh hell, that’s what I said to myself then.”he admits Diversity. “I was really surprised. The air in the room changed, everyone became silent. This transformation was like water in the desert, it was so magical.”

A lot of time and energy, but not in vain. Dwayne Johnson’s training allowed him to do as many fight scenes as possible, even if it meant getting hit. And many, as soon as the film was presented at the Venice Film Festival, talked about Mark Kerr as the actor’s greatest role. If it was his direction that was rewarded at Mostra, there’s a good chance he’ll get a second chance during the Oscar race, with a nomination or more.

Benny Safdie’s comments collected by Maximilien Pierrette in Paris on October 23, 2025