Dwayne Johnson Shocks Hollywood: New Blockbuster Deal and Possible WWE Return Revealed

Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne Johnson is trading blockbuster spectacle for prestige drama, and early reactions suggest the gamble could pay off in awards gold. “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson’s long-gestating biopic about two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr, had its world premiere Monday at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, igniting instant Oscar chatter among critics on the Lido. Directed by Benny Safdie (“Uncut Gems”), the gritty portrait dives into Kerr’s bruising rise in mixed-martial-arts and his parallel battle with addiction. Reviewers praised Johnson’s unrecognizable physical transformation and raw vulnerability, calling the performance the most daring of his career. The film screens in competition; festival prizes will be handed out September 6. Johnson reportedly spent 18 months immersing himself in Kerr’s wrestling style, dropping Hollywood muscle mass for a leaner fighter’s frame and training with former UFC coaches to master Pride-era technique. In recent Instagram posts from the Venice red carpet, the actor thanked fans “for supporting a passion project 15 years in the making,” hinting that he first secured Kerr’s life rights back in 2000 when he was still headlining WWE arenas. “The Smashing Machine” marks the first collaboration between Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and indie stalwart A24, signaling an aggressive push into prestige fare. North American theatrical release is set for October 3 — perfectly timed to qualify for the 2025 awards season. Streaming rights are expected to spark a bidding war once the film leaves theaters. Strategically, the timing also keeps Johnson in the sports-entertainment spotlight: WWE SummerSlam lands in early August, and industry chatter has heated up about a surprise in-ring cameo to coincide with promotion of the movie. While neither WWE nor Johnson’s camp has confirmed an appearance, leaked backstage photos of “The Rock” training in a New Jersey gym have fueled speculation among wrestling insiders. If the early Venice buzz holds, Johnson could follow in the footsteps of fellow action titans who pivoted to award-winning drama, positioning “The Smashing Machine” as the must-see underdog story of the fall. For fans used to skyscraper stunts and superhero suits, Johnson’s latest role proves he can still lay the smackdown—this time on the Academy’s best-actor shortlist.