How Dwayne Johnson became a 'rare air adonis' for 'Smashing Machine' Brian Truitt, USA TODAYSeptember 10, 2025 at 1:22 AM 0 Dwayne Johnson stars as UFC champ Mark Kerr in the biopic "The Smashing Machine.
- - How Dwayne Johnson became a 'rare air adonis' for 'Smashing Machine'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAYSeptember 10, 2025 at 1:22 AM
0
Dwayne Johnson stars as UFC champ Mark Kerr in the biopic "The Smashing Machine."
TORONTO – Dwayne Johnson was given an unusual order for his latest role: The muscular actor and pro wrestler was asked to gain weight and get bigger.
That was just part of the transformation into former mixed-martial arts champion Mark Kerr in director Benny Safdie's sports drama "The Smashing Machine" (in theaters Oct. 3). Johnson's all-in portrayal is not only earning a ton of Oscar buzz, it also fooled the real Kerr.
The first time he saw Johnson in full facial prosthetics – including blunt trauma-induced "cauliflower ears" – Kerr turned around and "he's standing right behind me and it's me!" Kerr said in a post-premiere Q&A at Toronto Film Festival. "All I could do was cuss at him. It was so surreal."
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Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OH8nI3x class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
">Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" src=https://ift.tt/OH8nI3x class=caas-img>Angelina Jolie welcomes fans at the premiere of "Couture."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZcDxh5u class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Angelina Jolie welcomes fans at the premiere of "Couture."
">Angelina Jolie welcomes fans at the premiere of "Couture."
" src=https://ift.tt/ZcDxh5u class=caas-img>Scarlett Johansson of "Eleanor the Great" poses in a Getty portrait for IMDb.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aZGITjX class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Scarlett Johansson of "Eleanor the Great" poses in a Getty portrait for IMDb.
">Scarlett Johansson of "Eleanor the Great" poses in a Getty portrait for IMDb.
" src=https://ift.tt/aZGITjX class=caas-img>Chris Evans donned glasses on the carpet for "Sacrifice."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dO47tsx class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Chris Evans donned glasses on the carpet for "Sacrifice."
">Chris Evans donned glasses on the carpet for "Sacrifice."
" src=https://ift.tt/dO47tsx class=caas-img>Anya Taylor-Joy
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ot0FSbL class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Anya Taylor-Joy
">Anya Taylor-Joy
" src=https://ift.tt/ot0FSbL class=caas-img>Charli XCX
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uHz2olc class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Charli XCX
">Charli XCX
" src=https://ift.tt/uHz2olc class=caas-img>Cast members Mila Kunis (from left), Glenn Close, Kerry Washington and Cailee Spaeny pose for "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mLKO9xa class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Cast members Mila Kunis (from left), Glenn Close, Kerry Washington and Cailee Spaeny pose for "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."
">Cast members Mila Kunis (from left), Glenn Close, Kerry Washington and Cailee Spaeny pose for "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."
" src=https://ift.tt/mLKO9xa class=caas-img>Juno Temple (from left), LaKeith Stanfield, director Derek Cianfrance, Kirsten Dunst and Channing Tatum attend the premiere of "Roofman."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/309MTLo class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Juno Temple (from left), LaKeith Stanfield, director Derek Cianfrance, Kirsten Dunst and Channing Tatum attend the premiere of "Roofman."
">Juno Temple (from left), LaKeith Stanfield, director Derek Cianfrance, Kirsten Dunst and Channing Tatum attend the premiere of "Roofman."
" src=https://ift.tt/309MTLo class=caas-img>Natalie Portman attends the 2025 Road to the Golden Globes Party at the Four Seasons Toronto.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5veVXdy class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Natalie Portman attends the 2025 Road to the Golden Globes Party at the Four Seasons Toronto.
">Natalie Portman attends the 2025 Road to the Golden Globes Party at the Four Seasons Toronto.
" src=https://ift.tt/5veVXdy class=caas-img>Ethan Hawke (right) and his wife Ryan Hawke.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Q3WH8kF class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Ethan Hawke (right) and his wife Ryan Hawke.
">Ethan Hawke (right) and his wife Ryan Hawke.
" src=https://ift.tt/Q3WH8kF class=caas-img>Edgar Ramirez
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xO9HbyS class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Edgar Ramirez
">Edgar Ramirez
" src=https://ift.tt/xO9HbyS class=caas-img>Keanu Reeves greets the camera with his fans at the premiere of "Good Fortune," in which he plays an angel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EWoyGZT class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Keanu Reeves greets the camera with his fans at the premiere of "Good Fortune," in which he plays an angel.
">Keanu Reeves greets the camera with his fans at the premiere of "Good Fortune," in which he plays an angel.
" src=https://ift.tt/EWoyGZT class=caas-img>Aziz Ansari, director, writer and star of "Good Fortune," poses for a Getty and IMDb portrait.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hRVYxMr class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Aziz Ansari, director, writer and star of "Good Fortune," poses for a Getty and IMDb portrait.
">Aziz Ansari, director, writer and star of "Good Fortune," poses for a Getty and IMDb portrait.
" src=https://ift.tt/hRVYxMr class=caas-img>Emily Watson attends the premiere of "Hamnet."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5N9zJTi class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Emily Watson attends the premiere of "Hamnet."
">Emily Watson attends the premiere of "Hamnet."
" src=https://ift.tt/5N9zJTi class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kB7mg5X class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
">Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/kB7mg5X class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GmWZBlD class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
">Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
" src=https://ift.tt/GmWZBlD class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zgdOh2Y class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
">Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
" src=https://ift.tt/zgdOh2Y class=caas-img>"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Zbqi3zt class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
">"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/Zbqi3zt class=caas-img>America Ferrera
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5ojRB8K class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
America Ferrera
">America Ferrera
" src=https://ift.tt/5ojRB8K class=caas-img>Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nsbrpMN class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
">Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
" src=https://ift.tt/nsbrpMN class=caas-img>Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VFR5Zig class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
">Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
" src=https://ift.tt/VFR5Zig class=caas-img>Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NTzFGop class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
">Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
" src=https://ift.tt/NTzFGop class=caas-img>Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DTUYxqj class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
">Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
" src=https://ift.tt/DTUYxqj class=caas-img>Samara Weaving
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FgGsTbj class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Samara Weaving
">Samara Weaving
" src=https://ift.tt/FgGsTbj class=caas-img>Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/M8tlpDO class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
">Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
" src=https://ift.tt/M8tlpDO class=caas-img>Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3Y2OhE7 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
">Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
" src=https://ift.tt/3Y2OhE7 class=caas-img>Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sKaAgzq class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
">Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
" src=https://ift.tt/sKaAgzq class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FOBUMow class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
">Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
" src=https://ift.tt/FOBUMow class=caas-img>"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8rGiNYZ class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
">"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
" src=https://ift.tt/8rGiNYZ class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3ZAfJxm class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
">Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
" src=https://ift.tt/3ZAfJxm class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EVslRgf class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
">Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/EVslRgf class=caas-img>
Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TDVqejs class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
">Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
" src=https://ift.tt/TDVqejs class=caas-img>Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vGTxMR1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
">Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
" src=https://ift.tt/vGTxMR1 class=caas-img>Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3TDLkah class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
">Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/3TDLkah class=caas-img>James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yvT78s3 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
">James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/yvT78s3 class=caas-img>Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ljqAZRJ class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
">Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/ljqAZRJ class=caas-img>Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qbQhuUp class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
">Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
" src=https://ift.tt/qbQhuUp class=caas-img>Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Q3Y5jRi class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
">Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/Q3Y5jRi class=caas-img>Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/03k6AWE class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
">Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/03k6AWE class=caas-img>Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/b4jKJnN class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/b4jKJnN class=caas-img>Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SYXQxDz class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/SYXQxDz class=caas-img>Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
" data-src=https://ift.tt/tdT2vI4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
">Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
" src=https://ift.tt/tdT2vI4 class=caas-img>Ryan Reynolds
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lUs7vLJ class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Ryan Reynolds
">Ryan Reynolds
" src=https://ift.tt/lUs7vLJ class=caas-img>Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6fzZPgs class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/6fzZPgs class=caas-img>Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GF9ToA1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/GF9ToA1 class=caas-img>John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4OT8SjF class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
">John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/4OT8SjF class=caas-img>Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4inyUvz class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
">Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
" src=https://ift.tt/4inyUvz class=caas-img>Eugene Levy
" data-src=https://ift.tt/X2bBhAT class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Eugene Levy
">Eugene Levy
" src=https://ift.tt/X2bBhAT class=caas-img>Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LGzl21Z class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
">Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
" src=https://ift.tt/LGzl21Z class=caas-img>Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PF8pjem class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
">Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
" src=https://ift.tt/PF8pjem class=caas-img>Elle Fanning
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1TZBnXE class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning
">Elle Fanning
" src=https://ift.tt/1TZBnXE class=caas-img>Renate Reinsve
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6Dc0mZ1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Renate Reinsve
">Renate Reinsve
" src=https://ift.tt/6Dc0mZ1 class=caas-img>Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2Ng9QJ6 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
">Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
" src=https://ift.tt/2Ng9QJ6 class=caas-img>Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RuVrSnJ class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
">Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
" src=https://ift.tt/RuVrSnJ class=caas-img>Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0bhIajt class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
">Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
" src=https://ift.tt/0bhIajt class=caas-img>
1 / 57See Sydney Sweeney, Angelina Jolie arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025
Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
"Smashing Machine" takes place in Kerr's life between 1997 and 2000, where the MMA fighter rose to prominence but also had to fight demons including drug addiction. He has girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) by his side, yet they also weather severe ups and downs when it comes to their personal life and his career.
Kerr was a "walking contradiction of being this incredible fighter but also a really beautiful human being who was loving and kind and sweet. And in ways, broken and trying," Johnson said, before telling Kerr, "Your life has changed mine. I love you so much, brother."
Mark Kerr (left) and Dwayne Johnson pose on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of "The Smashing Machine."
"I had waited for this opportunity for such a long time, to do something that challenged myself," Johnson said of the role. "I pushed for more and I wanted more."
Safdie wanting Johnson to add extra weight to his action-hero frame was a major part of the transformation. At one time, Kerr was a "rare air adonis," said Johnson, with "an incredible body that was built through hard work and sweat and respect."
The actor also worked with a coach to capture Kerr's voice ("Mark speaks in a very soft and beautiful way, a kind and gentle, tender soul") and spent four hours a day having up to 14 facial prosthetics applied, one of the most "anchoring" parts of the process.
Johnson and Kerr first met in the late 1990s when "we were on completely different trajectories in our lives," Kerr recalled. "He goes on to be 'The Rock,' and there's very few places on the planet you can go that don't know who he is."
The former MMA fighter said this is "the perfect vehicle" for Johnson as he charts a different path in his career. "It allowed him to be completely something that nobody else expects," Kerr said. "It's difficult, especially when people are like, 'You're only this, you're only that.' I would tell him, you don't have to do this. And he goes, 'Yes I do. I got to.' "
And Johnson took his knocks, literally, for his dream role. Filming a scene where he gets a vicious left hook from Yoko Hamamura, who plays one of Kerr's challengers, they went back and forth as to how much of a real punch it should be. Then Bas Rutten, an ex-MMA fighter who plays Mark's trainer in the movie, entered the chat.
"I got fed up like, 'Hey, Yoko, come on. It's The Rock. Hit him in the freaking head, OK?' " Rutten said. "DJ goes, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa here. Yoko's a professional fighter. You can hit me hard, but don't knock me out.' Well, that part's in the trailer, and every time I see it, I laugh because he hit too hard."
Johnson can confirm. "So you'll see in the movie where I look dazed, it's real."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Smashing Machine' Dwayne Johnson transforms into Mark Kerr
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