‘Awards Chatter’ Pod: Dwayne Johnson on ‘The Smashing Machine’ and His Career
In a recent recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Dwayne Johnson spoke in front of 500 film students at Chapman University in Orange County about his life, career, and his Oscar-buzzed role as Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s A24 film The Smashing Machine.
Reflecting on his involvement in the film, Johnson said,
“I was ready to chase the challenge and not chase the box office.”
The film tells the story of Mark Kerr, an early MMA fighter whose life took a dark turn.
Dwayne Johnson’s Box Office Success
Johnson is far from an ordinary actor. At 53, he has established himself as the most bankable star of his generation. Forbes recognized him as 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 action and family comedies, earning nearly $14 billion globally, averaging $349.7 million per film.
Within the past year, Johnson achieved a rare feat by releasing two movies that opened at number one at the box office in the same calendar month—Moana 2 and Red One. This accomplishment has not been matched by any actor or actress in the last 27 years.
Legacy and Expectations
Given these successes, audiences and industry insiders alike expect that any film starring Dwayne Johnson will be a blockbuster hit.
Author’s Summary
Dwayne Johnson embraces challenging roles like Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, balancing artistic pursuit with his proven blockbuster appeal.