Makeup Maestro Reveals Secrets Behind "The Smashing Machine" Transformation

Two days ago, it was announced that the film "The Smashing Machine" will be the closing night feature at the Middleburg Film Festival. The movie, which marks the solo directorial debut of Safdie, stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr.

To bring Kerr's distinct look to life, the film's Oscar-winning prosthetics artist, Hiro, faced several challenges. The most notable was recreating Kerr's prominent brow bone on Johnson's face. Hiro explains that Kerr's heavy brow bone significantly affects the look of his eyes, which was the opposite of Johnson's naturally gentle gaze.

Hiro had to carefully sculpt a prosthetic piece that would move naturally with Johnson's expressions. This involved scanning the actor's face in various states, from open to closed eyes, to create a hybrid mold. Additionally, Hiro crafted a special chamber that attached to Johnson's eyelid, allowing for unrestricted movement.

Another key element was the cauliflower ear, a distinct feature on Kerr due to years of trauma. Hiro meticulously recreated this, as well as other prosthetics like a browbone piece and covering Johnson's tattoos, during the two-hour transformation process.

The film, which also stars Emily Blunt, Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin and Oleksandr Usyk, promises to offer a captivating portrayal of Kerr's life and career in the world of MMA.