Dwayne Johnson experienced the worst box office revenue of his career with “The Smashing Machine.” This is the A24 drama that debuted at a rough $59 domestically worth $5.9 million. But the actor is on the bad news. Johnson posted on Instagram that he “can’t control the box office revenue,” praised director Benny Safdy for changing his life with a film that casts Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
“Thank you to everyone who saw the ‘smashing machine’ from deep in my bones of gratitude,” Johnson posted. “In the world of storytelling, you don’t have control over box office results, but what I realized you have control is your performance and your commitment to disappearing completely and going elsewhere, and I always run on that opportunity.
“It was my honor to transform in this role of my director, Benny Safdy. Thank you brother for trusting me,” Johnson added. The truth is that this film changed my life. DJ with deep gratitude, respect, and radical empathy. ”
As Variety reported: “The ‘Smashing Machine’ won the crater third at the box office with $5.9 million from 3,345 venues. These ticket sales are below the forecast of $8 million to $15 million, and below the 2010 thriller “Fastest” ($8.5 million, $8.5 million not adjusted for inflation). Includes stops at film festivals in Venice and Toronto. ”
“The Smashing Machine” was mostly highly praised when it premiered in Venice, with Safdie winning the Best Director Award for Fest. Even reviews that were not popular with the film praised Johnson’s major turns. It has leaned widely as a major contender for Best Actor in Oscar Race.
Johnson plays Carr, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion, in a true story drama across from Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife, Dawn, Staples. The film tracks their volatile relationship amid Carr’s professional highs, including lows in MMA, his substance abuse struggle. Kerr was a mixed martial artist who fought between 1997 and 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships in his career.
“The Smashing Machine” has been performing in theaters nationwide since the A24.
