Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for a captivating transformation as he is all set to step into the shoes of mixed martial arts icon Mark Kerr for an upcoming film titled The Smashing Machine,&nbsp;helmed by filmmaker Benny Safdie.

A24, the production house behind the anticipated project, confirmed the casting news in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

"Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying. We are deeply honoured to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life," A24's Noah Sacco said in a statement.

The 51-year-old actor will be delving into the highs and lows of the MMA fighter's life during his prime in 2000. The film will also explore Kerr's addiction battle, which led to an overdose.

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Kerr earned the nickname "The Smashing Machine" because of his aggressive fighting style. He has&nbsp;secured over two dozen MMA titles and has earned recognition as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a World Vale Tudo Championship winner.

The MMA legend's journey was previously chronicled in a 2002 HBO documentary of the same name.

Johnson's&nbsp;roster of his upcoming projects includes a diverse lineup. He will feature next in sequels like&nbsp;Jungle Cruise 2,&nbsp;Red Notice 2&nbsp;and Fast X: Part 2 along with&nbsp;Disney's live-action remake of Moana.

Safdie has previously worked with his brother Josh Safdie as the co-director of Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler, and Good Time, starring Robert Pattinson. The Smashing Machine will be Safdie's first solo project as both writer and director.

Other than Johnson and Safdie, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush and David Koplan are producing&nbsp;The Smashing Machine.&nbsp;

Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for a captivating transformation as he is all set to step into the shoes of mixed martial arts icon Mark Kerr for an upcoming film titled The Smashing Machine, helmed by filmmaker Benny Safdie.

Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for a captivating transformation as he is all set to step into the shoes of mixed martial arts icon Mark Kerr for an upcoming film titled The Smashing Machine, helmed by filmmaker Benny Safdie. A24, the production house behind the anticipated project, confirmed the casting news in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. "Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying. We are deeply honoured to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life," A24's Noah Sacco said in a statement. The 51-year-old actor will be delving into the highs and lows of the MMA fighter's life during his prime in 2000. The film will also explore Kerr's addiction battle, which led to an overdose. Also read: Shocking! Brazilian singer dies after suffering heart attack during live performance Kerr earned the nickname "The Smashing Machine" because of his aggressive fighting style. He has secured over two dozen MMA titles and has earned recognition as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a World Vale Tudo Championship winner. The MMA legend's journey was previously chronicled in a 2002 HBO documentary of the same name. Johnson's roster of his upcoming projects includes a diverse lineup. He will feature next in sequels like Jungle Cruise 2, Red Notice 2 and Fast X: Part 2 along with Disney's live-action remake of Moana. Safdie has previously worked with his brother Josh Safdie as the co-director of Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler, and Good Time, starring Robert Pattinson. The Smashing Machine will be Safdie's first solo project as both writer and director. Other than Johnson and Safdie, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush and David Koplan are producing The Smashing Machine.

Dwayne Johnson set to portray MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine

Benny Safdie is on board to helm the Dwayne Johnson film on MMA and UFC champion Mark Kerr. The film is titled The Smashing Machine.&nbsp;

According to the official synopsis: “The Smashing Machine is a drama based on the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career. He struggles with addiction, winning, love and friendship in the year 2000.”

For the unversed,&nbsp;Mark Kerr is an American former wrestler and MMA icon, was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner. Over the course of his career, he won over two dozen MMA titles. In 2003, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary, also titled The Smashing Machine.

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The film will be produced by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions along with Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush and David Koplan. A24 has joined as a producer and financier.

In a statement, A24’s Noah Sacco said, “Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying. We are deeply honoured to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

Benny Safdie is on board to helm the Dwayne Johnson film on MMA and UFC champion Mark Kerr. The film is titled The Smashing Machine. According to the official synopsis: “The Smashing Machine is a drama based on the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career.

Benny Safdie is on board to helm the Dwayne Johnson film on MMA and UFC champion Mark Kerr. The film is titled The Smashing Machine. According to the official synopsis: “The Smashing Machine is a drama based on the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career. He struggles with addiction, winning, love and friendship in the year 2000.” For the unversed, Mark Kerr is an American former wrestler and MMA icon, was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner. Over the course of his career, he won over two dozen MMA titles. In 2003, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary, also titled The Smashing Machine. James Gunn teases Nicholas Hoult's unique Lex Luthor in Superman Legacy The film will be produced by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions along with Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush and David Koplan. A24 has joined as a producer and financier. In a statement, A24’s Noah Sacco said, “Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying. We are deeply honoured to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”

Dwayne Johnson film on MMA legend Mark Kerr gets Benny Safdie as director

Dwayne Johnson popularly known as 'The Rock'&nbsp;is all set to develop a film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr named 'The Smashing Machine'. Johnson will produce and star as the lead actor in the film. 
 
Garcia and Seven Bucks, president of production house Hiram Garcia will be the producers of the film. Johnson unveiled the project in New York following a press conference hosted by Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The press conference was being held ahead of this weekend's UFC 244 event, reported by the news agency. 
 
"I was drawn to this because he has such a compelling story," Johnson said, adding that he watched the 2002 documentary 'The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr'&nbsp;many times. 
 
"Yes, he achieved so much in his life, but like all of us, like all of these fighters, he battled these demons". Johnson said that the martial arts fighter will also be involved in the project. He told the crowd in the theatre that he wanted to break the news there because he "wanted to start with the MMA community, the UFC fans, I wanted to start with you guys first".&nbsp; 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rn9kaDNGNBM" width="560"></iframe> 
 
Meanwhile, Johnson's next film is the Sony sequel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/watch-trailer-jumanji-the-next-level-is-a-mix-of-comedy-and-thrill-in-an-adventure-game-setting-film-259256">'Jumanji:</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/watch-trailer-jumanji-the-next-level-is-a-mix-of-comedy-and-thrill-in-an-adventure-game-setting-film-259256">The Next Level' </a>which will premiere next month. He will also star in Disney's 'Jungle Cruise'&nbsp;which will hit the theatres in July 2020. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/witness-an-adventure-filled-amazon-expedition-in-jungle-cruise-trailer-255398">Watch Jungle Cruise' trailer here</a>

Dwayne Johnson popularly known as 'The Rock' is all set to develop a film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr named 'The Smashing Machine'. Johnson will produce and star as the lead actor in the film.

Dwayne Johnson popularly known as 'The Rock' is all set to develop a film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr named 'The Smashing Machine'. Johnson will produce and star as the lead actor in the film. Garcia and Seven Bucks, president of production house Hiram Garcia will be the producers of the film. Johnson unveiled the project in New York following a press conference hosted by Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The press conference was being held ahead of this weekend's UFC 244 event, reported by the news agency. "I was drawn to this because he has such a compelling story," Johnson said, adding that he watched the 2002 documentary 'The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr' many times. "Yes, he achieved so much in his life, but like all of us, like all of these fighters, he battled these demons". Johnson said that the martial arts fighter will also be involved in the project. He told the crowd in the theatre that he wanted to break the news there because he "wanted to start with the MMA community, the UFC fans, I wanted to start with you guys first". Meanwhile, Johnson's next film is the Sony sequel 'Jumanji: The Next Level' which will premiere next month. He will also star in Disney's 'Jungle Cruise' which will hit the theatres in July 2020. Watch Jungle Cruise' trailer here

Dwayne Johnson to make film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr

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Dwayne Johnson set to portray MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine

Dwayne Johnson film on MMA legend Mark Kerr gets Benny Safdie as director

Dwayne Johnson to make film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr