How Emily Blunt Saved Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie’s A24 Movie

After the pandemic, “Benny thought I ghosted him,” says Dwayne Johnson.

Not long ago, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsona wrestling superstar who has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, announced his collaboration with Benny Safdie. This film is called The Smashing Machine And Dwayne Johnson It plays MMA champion Mark Kerr. This sports biopic is produced by A24 and marks the first solo film of Benny Safdie after becoming known as a duo with his brother Josh including Good Times And Uncut Gems.

In a recent interview for Variety, Dwayne Johnson recounts the long process of developing the film, and the risk that it might never see the light of day. The discussion between the two men started in 2019, when the production company of The Rock bought the rights to adapt the story. Benny Safdie quickly came forward to write and direct the biopic but everything was turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic. The two men therefore put the project on hold.

“Benny thought I ghosted him and maybe I was just an asshole“, tell Dwayne Johnson. Fortunately for them and for the film, it’s the actress Emily Bluntgreat friend of The Rock since their collaboration on Jungle Cruise who convinced him to contact again Benny Safdie after meeting him on the set ofOppenheimer.

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

The star is full of praise for the brother’s talent Safdie as storyteller: “Benny wants to create and he continues to push the boundaries when it comes to raw and real stories, authentic and sometimes uncomfortable and gripping characters.” The Smashing Machine is a new challenge for Dwayne Johnsonused to family blockbusters, since he plays a much darker and complex character.

However, he does not denigrate his other films but assures that he wants to diversify and venture into new territory for him: “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself. (…) I want more. I want more humanity. (…) I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity and explore struggle (and) pain” he declares. “Let me be clear, I am not abandoning mainstream films. I love making them and they have tremendous value and importance. But there is a time and a place for these films” he concludes.

There is no information yet regarding a release date for The Smashing Machinebut we should therefore discover Dwayne Johnson in a new light.

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