Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is slated to appear in A24’s newest biopic, The Smashing Machine, and it may be his most intriguing project yet. The wrestling biopic, written and directed by Benny Safdie, will star Johnson as famed MMA fighter Mark Kerr. While portraying a wrestler is hardly new territory for Johnson, this film will allow him to show off his acting skills with a more nuanced, emotional performance.

Johnson, a former wrestler himself, has long been associated with action films, to the point where the mere mention of his name immediately conjures up images of muscle-bound action heroes. Franchises like G.I. Joe, Jumanji, and (of course) Fast & Furious have contributed heavily to Johnson’s current fame. However, it’s time for him to break away from action roles; the upcoming A24 film may be Johnson’s most dramatic role yet.

A24’s The Smashing Machine Is Already One Of Dwayne Jonson’s Most Exciting Projects

After the success of Uncut Gems, Benny Safdie took a hiatus from directing to focus on acting, so his return to the director’s chair is already cause for excitement. Safdie and Johnson have been planning to make The Smashing Machine since 2019, when Johnson’s production company secured the rights, and it promises to be well worth the wait. With Safdie’s directorial talent and Johnson’s acting skills, as well as the passion they both clearly have for the story, it’s difficult not to feel excited for the end result.

The Smashing Machine will also be an emotionally demanding performance from The Rock, who has long been relegated to the role of hired muscle for action films. The biopic promises to delve into the cost of Kerr’s success, including his struggles with addiction. This understated performance will be a far cry from the action-comedies and superhero films that have long defined Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but the departure will usher him into a far more interesting stage of his career.

The Smashing Machine Sounds Better For The Rock’s Career Than More Fast & Furious

The Rock has become practically synonymous with iconic franchises like Fast & Furious, but it’s time for him to explore new territory. After insisting that he was done with the franchise, his return as Luke Hobbs in Fast X came as a surprise, sparking theories that he was attempting to save his reputation after the critical and commercial failure of Black Adam. However, if Dwayne Johnson’s Rock’s movie star formula is losing its power, returning to the Fast & Furious franchise is not the right path to take.

A character-driven biopic like The Smashing Machine will solidify The Rock as a well-rounded actor. He’s been shackled to flashy action movies and franchise films for far too long, and his work is starting to suffer because of it. A smaller passion project will provide him with a new avenue for his skills, and it may just usher in a new era of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s career.