Dwayne Johnson Eyes Co-Star for MMA Movie with Jungle Cruise Reunion Potential

The Smashing Machine is looking for a co-star to join Dwayne Johnson in a movie that would bring the Jungle Cruise team back together. Last year, it was revealed that The Rock would be taking on a new challenge by portraying MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a film directed by Benny Safdie for A24. The movie, titled The Smashing Machine, will be Safdie's first solo directorial project after working on Good Time and Uncut Gems with his brother.

Now, it seems that the MMA movie has found its leading lady. Variety reports that Emily Blunt is in discussions to play Dawn Staples, Mark Kerr's wife, in The Smashing Machine alongside Dwayne Johnson. If Blunt signs on, it would reunite her with Johnson, with whom she starred in Disney's Jungle Cruise in 2021, and Safdie, with whom she worked on Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. A24 has released a character description for Dawn and a brief summary of the movie.

Dawn is facing challenges as she navigates through Mark's tumultuous and conflicting world while they embark on a new life together.

"The Smashing Machine" is a gripping drama that follows the life of Mark Kerr, a renowned MMA fighter during the intense era of the UFC. The story delves into his battles with addiction, success, relationships, and camaraderie in the year 2000.

The Smashing Machine is expected to start filming this summer.

Emily Blunt Is A Major Reason The Smashing Machine Is Happening

Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) smiles and holds J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy)'s hand in Oppenheimer. - Emily Blunt Is A Major Reason The Smashing Machine Is Happening

Emily Blunt's potential role in the movie comes as no surprise, as she played a key role in getting The Smashing Machine off the ground. In 2019, Johnson and Safdie came up with the idea for the project, but it got put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Years later, Johnson talked to Blunt about the project and his desire to play Mark Kerr. Blunt got interested, watched the documentary about Kerr, and encouraged Johnson to make the movie, saying, "You must make this movie."

During the filming of Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt and Josh Safdie had discussions about Johnson and The Smashing Machine, which motivated the director to reconnect with the actor and continue developing the project. Safdie and Blunt played important roles in this process, but Johnson is also enthusiastic about portraying Mark Kerr on screen. Johnson has expressed a desire to start creating films with significant impact, citing The Smashing Machine as a turning point. Collaborating with a talented co-star like Blunt will certainly help in achieving this goal.

Emily Blunt's performance as Kitty in Oppenheimer has earned her a nomination for an Academy Award.

Source: Variety

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming film "The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, has found its leading lady in Emily Blunt. Blunt's involvement is particularly noteworthy as she played a crucial role in getting the project off the ground, encouraging Johnson to pursue the film. This reunion of Johnson and Blunt, who previously worked together on "Jungle Cruise," is sure to generate excitement among fans.

The article highlights Emily Blunt's significant contributions to the film's development. Her interest in the project and discussions with Josh Safdie motivated the director to reconnect with Johnson and advance the film. Blunt's enthusiasm for the film and her impressive performance in "Oppenheimer" suggest that she will bring depth and nuance to the role of Dawn Staples, Mark Kerr's wife. The collaboration between Johnson and Blunt promises a compelling and impactful film that explores the complexities of relationships, addiction, and triumph in the world of MMA.