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The Rock's Soulful Journey: From Action Star to Mark Kerr
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Johnson's role as Mark Kerr predates his film production company.
- His father's death significantly influenced his portrayal of Kerr.
- The film's struggles and box office performance reflect Kerr's story.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s aspiration to embody UFC fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine" dates back over a decade, even before he launched Seven Bucks Productions in 2012. He was struck by the fighter's struggles with addiction and loss as depicted in the 2002 documentary. Johnson felt a profound need to tell Kerr's story, particularly after the unexpected death of his own father, wrestling legend Rocky Johnson, in January 2020. This personal tragedy provided him with a deeper understanding of addiction and complex family dynamics, mirroring elements of Kerr’s life.
