Legendary MMA fighter and commentator Bas Rutten recently shared exciting details about his involvement in the highly anticipated film “The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Speaking on Mike Perry’s podcast, Rutten revealed his firsthand experience working on the biopic about MMA pioneer Mark Kerr.
Rutten praised Johnson’s dedication to authentically portraying Kerr, stating, “As soon as he transitions into Kerr, he stands like him, speaks like him. He really did his homework.” The former UFC heavyweight champion was particularly impressed by Johnson’s physical transformation, describing how eerie it felt seeing him embody Kerr’s mannerisms and appearance.
The film, which also stars Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife Dawn, promises to be a gritty and intense drama. Rutten hinted at the movie’s emotional depth, saying, “When you read the script, it’s like your stomach turns. It’s toxic, let me call it that.”
Rutten also revealed that several other MMA fighters have roles in the film, including Ryan Bader portraying Mark Coleman. He expressed confidence that audiences will be impressed by the fight scenes, which closely mirror Kerr’s actual bouts.
With “The Smashing Machine,” Rutten believes Johnson will cement his status as a serious dramatic actor. “I think people are going to be considering The Rock as a serious actor now,” Rutten predicted. “It blew me away.”
As one of the most anticipated MMA-themed films in years, “The Smashing Machine” looks to offer an unflinching look at the early days of the sport through the lens of one of its most troubled stars. With Rutten’s seal of approval and Johnson’s committed performance, fight fans and movie buffs alike have much to look forward to when the film releases.
