Dwayne Johnson recently opened up about his latest project, 'The Smashing Machine,' and revealed that the biographical sports drama film has changed his life in many ways. Since the film has been released in Japan, Johnson said that shooting the movie in the Land of the Rising Sun instilled a deeper appreciation and curiosity for Japanese culture.
Johnson's Message to Fans
He shared a poster of the film on his social media and wrote: "Very cool (and wild) news but true - THE SMASHING MACHINE has just been released in theaters in JAPAN this weekend! (streaming will be available after the theatrical run). Every country around the world has their own distribution rights and Japan's theatrical window was always scheduled for May 2026."
Johnson shared that he embodied Japanese culture and applied it to his own lifestyle. "I'm absolutely thrilled Japanese fans can finally see our film - Smashing Machine changed my life in many ways, and the time I spent in Japan filming our movie instilled a deeper appreciation and curiosity for Japanese culture, that I ultimately began to embody and apply to my own lifestyle."
He added: "Japan ~ enjoy The Smashing Machine and I'll see you THIS JULY when I return to your island nation."
About the Film
'The Smashing Machine' features Johnson playing former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles. The film explores his rise and fall in the early years of MMA fighting and how he came to be known as one of the pioneers in the sport.
'The Smashing Machine' premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025, where it won the Silver Lion. The film tells the true story of mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, whose obsession with greatness made him a legend -- and nearly cost him everything.
Upcoming Projects
Johnson will next be seen in the live-action version of Moana. The film was directed by Thomas Kail and stars Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia.
