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Nolan Hails Dwayne Johnson's 'Heartbreaking' Performance in 'The Smashing Machine'
15 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Christopher Nolan praises Dwayne Johnson's acting in 'The Smashing Machine'
- Zoe Saldaña urges James Cameron to make 'Avatar' documentary
- Benny Safdie's film struggles at the box office despite critical acclaim
In 2025, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan heaped praise on Dwayne Johnson's performance in the film 'The Smashing Machine.' Nolan, who had previously worked with the movie's director Benny Safdie on 'Oppenheimer,' described Johnson's portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as "heartbreaking" and said it was one of the best performances he had seen in years.
Meanwhile, actress Zoe Saldaña, known for her roles in the 'Avatar' franchise, urged director James Cameron to create a documentary to "give us a chance to explain" the empowering nature of motion capture acting. Saldaña's comments highlighted the ongoing debate around the recognition and appreciation of this unique acting technique.
Despite the critical acclaim, 'The Smashing Machine' has struggled at the box office, marking a career-low opening for Johnson. However, the actor remained committed to the project, stating that while he couldn't control the financial results, he was proud of his performance and the opportunity to transform for the role.
