By Andrew Ravens
Copyright newsweek
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has revealed that he suffered a legitimate concussion while filming his upcoming movie, “The Smashing Machine.” The injury occurred during a fight scene where the director sought a high level of realism.
During an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Johnson explained that director Benny Safdie wanted the punches in a scene to look authentic. To achieve this, the punches thrown were real.
The Rock on His On-Set Injury
Johnson detailed the “wild” experience of filming the fight scene. He confirmed that the dazed look on his face in the film was not acting, but the result of a real concussion.
“You’ll see in the movie, he’s rocking me over and over again. It was wild. After the fight, you see me and I look like I’m loopy, that’s because I had a concussion.”
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Dwayne Johnson attends “The Smashing Machine” red carpet during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025.
The Rock justified the intense physicality as a necessary part of the filmmaking process for this particular project. He believes it was essential for the authenticity of the movie.
“It’s the thing you have to do. If you’re going to make a MMA movie, you have to go all the way. That’s what we did with this.”
About “The Smashing Machine”
“The Smashing Machine” is a biographical drama from A24 focusing on the life of mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr. Johnson is playing the role of Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion whose career was marked by incredible highs and personal struggles with addiction.
The role is considered a significant dramatic turn for Johnson, moving away from his typical action-hero persona. The film also stars Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples.
The Rock’s commitment to the role, evidenced by his willingness to endure a concussion, highlights his dedication to portraying Kerr’s story authentically. This project is a departure from his larger-than-life WWE character and showcases a different aspect of his abilities as a performer.
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