Dwayne Johnson has ignited Oscar buzz following the release of the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, the anticipated A24 film where he portrays UFC fighter Mark Kerr. With industry excitement building and the movie months away from its premiere, speculation is mounting on whether Johnson can leverage his striking transformation and dramatic performance to secure an Academy Award nomination, marking a major shift from his established persona as a box-office action star and WWE legend.
The anticipation around Dwayne Johnson’s potential Best Actor bid began well before the trailer’s arrival, fueled by a solitary image showcasing his physical dedication to the role. Now, as visual evidence of his transformation is available, industry watchers and fans alike are openly questioning if Johnson might be poised for his first serious awards season campaign, transitioning from crowd-pleasing superstar to respected Oscar contender. The conversation reflects both hope and skepticism, given Hollywood’s history of embracing dramatic reinventions—especially when rooted in true stories and striking character work.
The Smashing Machine, set for release in October, serves as the directorial debut of Benny Safdie without collaborator Josh Safdie, adapting the well-regarded documentary about the life and struggles of Mark Kerr. The story explores Kerr’s rise as an early UFC star and his challenges with addiction, presenting Dwayne Johnson with a complex and demanding role. Johnson’s commitment to authenticity involved working with Kazu Hiro, the acclaimed prosthetic makeup designer and two-time Oscar winner known for transformative film work on Darkest Hour and Bombshell. The collaboration enabled Johnson to adopt a physicality and emotional depth unseen in his previous films, further fueling talk of possible recognition from the Academy.
Reflecting on his transformation for the role, Johnson told GQ last year, “I look what I look like. I am what I am. There is no: ‘Oh, Rock is just gonna disappear.’ You know what I mean? However, to be able to do that in Smashing Machine, with the greatest of makeup artists — in a way, it was really freeing for me.” Safdie added to the enthusiasm, recalling, “It was just funny because I remember him walking around and you’d hear people saying, ‘When’s The Rock going to get here? I wonder when he’s going to get here,’ You’d hear all these people talking, and meanwhile he’s walking amongst them.”
The attention to authentic hair and makeup in the film aligns with a notable pattern at the Oscars, where outstanding prosthetic work often accompanies acting victories. Recent years have seen several actors rewarded in both categories, including Marion Cotillard, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Matthew McConaughey, Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Emma Stone, among others. Films such as Foxcatcher, Dallas Buyers Club, Vice, Bombshell, Joker, Judy, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Mank, and Oppenheimer have all demonstrated the Academy’s appreciation for performances intricately tied to transformative makeup, signaling another advantage for Dwayne Johnson’s awards campaign.
Safdie, the film’s director, pointed to Johnson’s layered portrayal, stating, “You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness. If somebody’s open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they’re going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don’t know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.” Safdie’s perspective bolsters the narrative that Johnson is attempting to stretch far beyond his established brand, tapping into a vulnerability and complexity that might resonate with voters searching for depth in dramatic performances.
Beyond the technical achievements, The Smashing Machine is poised to connect with Academy voters through its biographical nature and dramatic stakes. The Academy has often recognized actors who bring real-life fighter stories to the screen, with Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby), Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), Will Smith (Ali), and Denzel Washington (The Hurricane) all earning nominations for such portrayals. Playing a real person remains one of the most reliable routes to Oscar recognition, a path that Dwayne Johnson now appears to be following with renewed determination. Remarkably, fourteen of the last twenty-five Best Actor wins have honored performances based on actual individuals, according to Oscar records.
Dwayne Johnson’s industry profile adds another intriguing element to the Oscar conversation. While he has dominated blockbusters with franchises like Fast and Furious and Jumanji, earning him international fame and appeal, recognition from the Academy for an actor of his commercial stature would place him alongside Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Will Smith, and Demi Moore—all box-office leaders who have crossed over to serious awards consideration, often for roles inspired by real people. Johnson’s pivot to more challenging, emotionally nuanced territory is viewed as a potential milestone for both his career and Hollywood’s evolving approach to star power and dramatic credibility.
The film’s award prospects are not confined to Best Actor and Best Hair and Makeup alone. With Safdie’s creative vision and A24’s growing reputation as an Oscar powerhouse, The Smashing Machine could receive attention in additional categories. However, much of the movie’s fate will hinge on its initial reception during the fall festival circuit and whether industry audiences respond as strongly to Johnson’s transformation as early speculation predicts. For now, the film remains one of the season’s most closely watched contenders, aided by carefully crafted marketing that highlights Dwayne Johnson’s multifaceted talent.
Dwayne Johnson, reflecting on the scope and personal stakes of the project last year, confided, “It’s such a psychological thing here. But you know, from the moment I walk out of my house, I can’t hide. But in a way, when I could disappear in a movie like Smashing Machine, and some of the other things now that we’re developing, where it will allow me to disappear, with a Benny again or an A24. … Man, I love it.” This quote underscores both the risk and the passion driving his latest career move, as Johnson deliberately seeks out roles that challenge audience expectations and invite deeper critical scrutiny.
In recent months, Dwayne Johnson has also attracted further industry interest with reports of new collaborations involving Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, projects already drawing comparisons to iconic dramas like The Departed. Additionally, Johnson indicated openness to future partnerships with Safdie and A24, suggesting that his transformation into a more versatile and respected actor is not a one-off experiment, but rather the beginning of an ambitious new phase in his professional journey. Each step enhances the perception of Johnson as a performer willing to gamble legacy for artistic credibility, intensifying the anticipation surrounding The Smashing Machine.
The significance of this Oscar buzz for Dwayne Johnson extends beyond personal achievement. If his performance in The Smashing Machine is ultimately recognized, it could help redefine the boundaries for action heroes in Hollywood, setting a precedent for others to pursue similarly daring roles. It would mark a turning point both for Johnson and for the Academy, which has gradually expanded its embrace of unconventional performers and genres over the past decade. The possibility of Johnson’s leap from entertainment icon to Oscar nominee embodies the evolving nature of film and the enduring allure of storytelling rooted in truth and transformation.
As the months wind down to awards season and the world awaits The Smashing Machine’s critical debut, Dwayne Johnson remains at the center of intense industry attention and public interest. Whether he achieves an Oscar nod or not, his committed performance, evolving artistic choices, and willingness to defy expectations are already leaving a lasting impact, prompting fresh discussions about the nature of stardom and the enduring pursuit of artistic legitimacy. For now, the focus remains firmly on Johnson and his path forward—one marked by risk, hope, and the tantalizing possibility of Academy glory.
