Dwayne Johnson to play an MMA star for Benny Safdie at A24

The co-director of Good Times (with his brother Josh) is preparing a solo film, based on a true story.

With critical successes like Good Times with Robert Pattinson And Uncut Gems with Adam Sandlerthe director brothers Joshua And Benny Safdie have carved out a solid reputation as authors and a stable place within the A24 stable. Both, Benny Safdie has also diversified his career by acting in his films or those of others, for example having a secondary role in the recent Oppenheimer of Christopher Nolan.

Its collaboration with A24 being fruitful, a new project has just been announced by IndieWire : a biopic with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson playing Mark Kerr, an MMA champion from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Benny Safdie wrote and plans to direct this sports film, recounting the rise of this champion nicknamed “The Smashing Machine”, his struggle with addiction and his love life. This could be the most dramatic role of Dwayne Johnsonrather accustomed to big action franchises like Fast and Furious or comedies for all audiences.

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Noah Saccothe producer of the film representing A24 stated that “Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, who share the same electric vision of Mark’s inspiring story.” The production company of The RockSeven Bucks Production, acquired the rights to the film in 2019, launching its collaboration with Benny Safdie. This film will be his first solo project without his brother Josh with whom he became known to the general public.

While waiting to find out more about this future biopic, the mini-series The Curseco-created by Benny Safdie And Nathan Fielderwith Emma Stone in the lead role, is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.

The Curse: you have to see this crazy series with Emma Stone (review)