Innovative Artists Entertainment has signed Mark Kerr, the former wrestler and mixed martial artist played by Dwayne Johnson in A24’s upcoming film The Smashing Machine, for representation in endorsements, licensing, speaking engagements, appearances, merchandising, and acting.
A former NCAA Division I wrestling champion and World Cup gold medalist, Kerr exploded onto the MMA scene in the late ’90s, winning back-to-back UFC heavyweight tournaments before going on to compete in Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships. Nicknamed “The Smashing Machine” for his intensity in the ring, Kerr also over the course of his career earned multiple ADCC world titles.
Previously, Kerr’s story was chronicled in the HBO doc The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, directed by John Hyams. Like that film, A24’s Kerr biopic The Smashing Machine takes an unflinching look at his life and career, examining both the highlights and the lowlights, including the injuries that led to an opioid addiction and the emotional cost of being a fighter. Written, directed and produced by Benny Safdie, with Emily Blunt co-starring, the film won Safdie the Silver Lion in its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It’s put Johnson on course for his first big awards run and is slated for release in theaters on Friday, October 3rd, when it’s expected to open to a solid $20M+.
Word of Kerr’s Innovative signing comes amid the agency’s continued expansion into sports. The agency announced in March that private equity firm Coral Tree Partners had assumed a minority stake, at that time rebranding all departments under the name Innovative Artists Entertainment. Since then, the company has grown its sports division, hiring Brad Small, who brought clients including Jack Perry, Big Bill, and Anna Jay, and signing athletes such as Olympic legend Greg Louganis and MMA star Ryan Bader.