"'The Rock' to actually be nominated for an Oscar" - When Dana White claimed $70M MMA biopic could earn Dwayne Johnson the highest honor in Hollywood

Dana White once asserted that Dwayne Johnson could earn the highest recognition in Hollywood for his role in an upcoming MMA biopic. 'The Rock' is set to star in his next leading role in the sports drama 'The Smashing Machine', which is based on the career of former UFC heavyweight tournament champion Mark Kerr.

Johnson has long been celebrated for his action-packed roles, but his upcoming project marks a dramatic change, presenting an entirely new challenge for the WWE superstar turned Hollywood icon. The role required immense attention to detail, and the UFC CEO believes the film has the potential to elevate Johnson to even greater success.

During an interview with Collider in June, White said that, based on what he knows about 'The Smashing Machine', Johnson has poured considerable effort into accurately portraying Kerr’s life on the big screen. He predicted that these dedicated efforts will earn 'The Rock' an Oscar nomination:

"I don't know if you saw it, but he [Johnson] was showing on his Instagram the other day that he messed up his elbow. 'The Rock' will kill this. He will nail this role. I know how serious he's taking this, I know who's working with him, and I know how hard he's working on this film. I think that this could be the opportunity for 'The Rock' to actually be nominated for an Oscar."

Filming for 'The Smashing Machine' wrapped up in August, and the movie is now in post-production, with a release slated for sometime in 2025. The highly anticipated film is produced by the acclaimed American studio A24 and is reported to have a budget of $70 million.

The upcoming movie is directed by Benny Safdie and is based on Kerr's rise through the MMA world, which was tragically disrupted by his battle with opioid addiction. In addition to Johnson, the biopic will also feature Emily Blunt as Kerr's ex-wife and former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in the role of Igor Vovchanchyn.

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When Dwayne Johnson discussed why he chose to portray Mark Kerr

During an interview with GQ in November, Dwayne Johnson revealed that he chose to portray Mark Kerr in 'The Smashing Machine' because he saw it as a rare opportunity to push his limits and take on a transformative challenge.

'The Rock' explained that he was captivated by Kerr's intricate life journey, which gave him the chance to explore emotional depths:

"I knew this was an opportunity to disappear into a character, with prosthetics, and also play somebody who is still alive. Someone who has gone through the battles and wars of life. Not only in the octagon and in the cages but also about addiction, failure, loss, and mental health struggles."