‘Awards Chatter’ Podcast: Dwayne Johnson on ‘The Smashing Machine’ and Recent Successes
Speaking to an audience of 500 film students at Chapman University, superstar wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson reflected on his career and his Oscar-buzzed role in Benny Safdie's A24 film The Smashing Machine. In the film, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, an early MMA fighter whose life turned dark.
“I was ready to chase the challenge and not chase the box office,” Johnson said about taking on this role.
This statement stands out because Johnson is far from an ordinary actor. At 53, he is one of the most bankable stars of his generation. Forbes named him the top-grossing actor worldwide in 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024.
He ranks as the fifth-highest-grossing actor ever, with 40 films mostly in action and family genres grossing nearly $14 billion globally, averaging $349.7 million per film.
In the past year, Johnson achieved a rare feat by having two movies—Moana 2 and Red One—open at number one at the box office in the same month, something no actor or actress has done in 27 years.
With such a track record, there is a strong expectation that any film starring Johnson will be a blockbuster.
Author's Summary
Dwayne Johnson embraces challenging roles like in The Smashing Machine while remaining Hollywood's top box office draw, consistently delivering blockbuster hits.