Dwayne Johnson experienced the worst box office opening of his career with “The Smashing Machine,” the A24 drama that debuted to a rough $5.9 million domestically. But the actor is taking the bad news in stride. Johnson posted on Instagram that “you can’t control box office results” and praised director Benny Safdie for changing his life with the film, which casts Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine,’” Johnson posted. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity.
“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me,” Johnson added. Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
As reported by Variety: “‘The Smashing Machine’ cratered in third place at the box office with $5.9 million from 3,345 venues. Those ticket sales were below projections of $8 million to $15 million and marked a career low for Johnson, below his 2010 thriller ‘Faster’ ($8.5 million, not adjusted for inflation). It’s also a blow to A24, which spent $50 million to produce the movie — and many millions more on promotional efforts, including stops at Venice and Toronto Film Festival.”
“The Smashing Machine” was largely acclaimed when it premiered at Venice, with Safdie winning the fest’s best director prize. Even reviews that were not favorable to the movie still praised Johnson’s leading turn, which has been widely tipped as a major contender in the Oscar race for best actor.
Johnson plays two-time UFC heavyweight champ Kerr in the true story drama opposite Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife Dawn, Staples. The film tracks their volatile relationship amid Kerr’s professional high and lows in MMA, including his substance abuse struggles. Kerr was a mixed martial artist who fought from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships in his career.
“The Smashing Machine” is playing in theaters nationwide from A24.
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From Variety US