April 3, 2025: The highly anticipated film The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, has officially locked in an October 3, 2025, theatrical release, according to Deadline.
Directed by Benny Safdie, the film tells the inspiring and turbulent life story of MMA legend Mark Kerr. The Smashing Machine is expected to bring Kerr’s rise and struggles in the brutal world of MMA to the big screen, particularly focusing on his time at the height of his career during the early years of the UFC.
As reported by Deadline, the movie’s release comes after Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic reconsidered its strategy and may delay its debut. The Smashing Machine will now face off at the box office with two major releases—Paramount’s Roofman, starring Channing Tatum, and Neon’s horror film The Keeper, directed by Oz Perkins.
In addition to directing, Safdie also wrote and produced the film, reuniting him with his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt. Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s girlfriend, who struggles with the highs and lows of being in a relationship with an elite fighter whose life inside the cage is just as chaotic as his personal demons outside of it.
The movie showcases Kerr at the peak of his career, exploring both his dominance inside the UFC cage and the internal battles that led to his fall. Kerr’s legacy in MMA is legendary, as he was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a Pride FC champion, known for his incredible submission wrestling skills. His story was first documented in the 2003 HBO film The Smashing Machine, which inspired this upcoming feature.
Produced by Safdie’s Out for the Count alongside Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and other collaborators, The Smashing Machine promises a gripping and emotional look at one of MMA’s most compelling figures.
With The Smashing Machine’s release on the horizon, fans are eager to see Johnson take on such a powerful, real-life role, especially with the weight of Kerr’s remarkable but tumultuous story behind it.