After stealing the show at WrestleMania, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is diving headfirst into the world of MMA. In a recent X post, ‘The Rock’ revealed that he was starting MMA training for his new role as Mark Kerr in the movie ‘Smashing Machine.‘
‘The Rock’ is no stranger to the big screen. While his initial dream of making it big in the NFL didn’t go as expected, his time in the limelight began when he branched into the WWE in 1996, quickly becoming a wrestling star. However, ‘The Rock’ wanted more and eventually moved into acting in 2001, starring in the film ‘The Mummy Returns,‘ where, just like that, Johnson was on his way to fame.
Over the years, ‘The Rock’ has played several major roles on screen in projects such as ‘Race to Witch Mountain,‘ ‘Tooth Fairy,’ and even the part of Maui in ‘Moana,’ where he is set to return in the live-action coming soon. While his acting portfolio is nothing but impressive, ‘The Rock’ hasn’t forgotten his roots, which are buried in combat sports.
The Rock Announces That He Has Started Training MMA for New Movie Role
Recently, ‘The Rock’ took on the persona of the ‘Final Boss’ at the 2024 WrestleMania, which required him to go through a grueling training routine before jumping back in the ring. After stunning his fans at WrestleMania, ‘The Rock’ again left his followers spellbound when he announced that he would be jumping straight into a new workout regime, this time for the MMA cage.
“So, WrestleMania is behind me and I will actually start a new training camp tomorrow, on Monday, and this training camp now will consist of MMA fighting in the cage.
So, I’ve gone from the Pro Wrestling ring to the MMA cage, and it is in preparation for my next movie, it is called the Smashing Machine.”
‘The Rock’ reveals that he will be playing Mark Kerr, an MMA legend who faced many struggles throughout his career including drug addiction. However, Kerr also represents “dreams coming true.”
“As many of you know, the Smashing Machine is based off of the life of Mark Kerr. Mark Kerr was the godfather, the heavyweight godfather of MMA, of UFC, who at one time was the greatest fighter on the planet and he was an absolute animal and a beast and he struggled with addiction, he struggled with success, he struggled with loss, he struggled with love” said The Rock.
“A lot of struggles in his life but he lived, and is still living, the most extraordinary, dreams-come-true kind of life and it is an honor to play him and I want to make sure that I wake up every morning and run to this opportunity to become Mark Kerr.”
Johnson expressed his gratitude for playing the role of Mark Kerr and intends to train hard to properly represent not only Kerr but all the fighters in the MMA and UFC community.
“So I want to make sure that in my training camp, I am training UFC legends and coaches and I want to make sure I do right by Mark and I do right by the MMA and UFC community and culture and all these fighters, men and women, who have put it on the line over the years as they’ve done in professional Wrestling too.”
“So I come into this project with the ultimate respect and reverence to that world and I just want to be as prepared as possible. I start my MMA and cage work and MMA ring work all this week, which basically means that I am going to get me ass kicked, a lot, but bring it on.”
From the wrestling ring to the MMA cage.
With WrestleMania behind me – my second training camp of 2024 begins tomorrow for my next role, in a film titled – The Smashing Machine.
My body’s banged up from Mania, but no injuries and feeling great – ready to go.
Starting my MMA… pic.twitter.com/J1OJE2vkbi
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 22, 2024
‘The Rock’ isn’t the only actor to take on rigorous workout routines in preparation for movie roles. Actor Hugh Jackman shared an inside look at his intense arm workout, transforming his biceps for his role in the upcoming ‘Deadpool 3.‘ Meanwhile, Zac Efron and Jake Gyllenhaal each gained a newfound respect for the MMA and professional Wrestling communities as they learned to fight for their respective roles.
Acting is a blend of physical, emotional, and mental fortitude that tests individuals through and through. ‘The Rock’ is familiar with what it takes to perform on screen. He intends to do justice to Mark Kerr as well as the MMA and UFC communities by portraying the true essence of a combat sports fighter.
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