Written and directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine will chronicle the trials and tribulations of the MMA legend Mark Kerr. He rose to prominence during the no-holds-barred era of the UFC but struggled to continue his domination while grappling with addiction, winning, love, and friendship.

Blunt will portray Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples, who’s not quite sure where she fits within his chaotic and contradictory world. Johnson will also produce this project through Seven Bucks Productions in addition to playing the lead role, while the rest of the cast is yet to be announced.

This will mark the second collaboration between Blunt and Johnson, who previously led Disney’s Jungle Cruise in 2021. They’re attached to the sequel of this fantasy adventure film, which is still in the early stages of development.

Blunt most recently starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. She’ll next be seen in David Leitch’s action comedy The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling.

Johnson has been eying the role in this project ever since his company Seven Bucks Productions acquired the rights in 2019. The Smashing Machine finally started taking shape when Benny Safdie came on board as its director, along with the acclaimed indie studio A24.

Safdie previously collaborated with A24 on his breakout film Uncut Gems with his brother Josh. Noah Sacco, the company’s head of film, said he’s looking forward to their next collaboration and added they’re deeply honored to have Johnson and Safdie bring this incredibly special project to life.

Johnson and his Seven Bucks’s production partner Dany Garcia are also executive producing the project, along with Eli Bush, David Koplan, and Safdie through Out for the Count.

The Smashing Machine will center on Mark Kerr’s struggle with addiction, winning, love, and friendship in 2000. The two-time UFC heavyweight champion has been previously the subject of an HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled his addiction to painkillers and the “no holds barred” aspect of early MMA competitions.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine will chronicle the trials and tribulations of the MMA legend Mark Kerr. He rose to prominence during the no-holds-barred era of the UFC but struggled to continue his domination while grappling with addiction, winning, love, and friendship.

Blunt will portray Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples, who’s not quite sure where she fits within his chaotic and contradictory world. Johnson will also produce this project through Seven Bucks Productions in addition to playing the lead role, while the rest of the cast is yet to be announced.

This will mark the second collaboration between Blunt and Johnson, who previously led Disney’s Jungle Cruise in 2021. They’re attached to the sequel of this fantasy adventure film, which is still in the early stages of development.

Blunt most recently starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. She’ll next be seen in David Leitch’s action comedy The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling.

Johnson has been eying the role in this project ever since his company Seven Bucks Productions acquired the rights in 2019. The Smashing Machine finally started taking shape when Benny Safdie came on board as its director, along with the acclaimed indie studio A24.

Safdie previously collaborated with A24 on his breakout film Uncut Gems with his brother Josh. Noah Sacco, the company’s head of film, said he’s looking forward to their next collaboration and added they’re deeply honored to have Johnson and Safdie bring this incredibly special project to life.

Johnson and his Seven Bucks’s production partner Dany Garcia are also executive producing the project, along with Eli Bush, David Koplan, and Safdie through Out for the Count.

The Smashing Machine will center on Mark Kerr’s struggle with addiction, winning, love, and friendship in 2000. The two-time UFC heavyweight champion has been previously the subject of an HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled his addiction to painkillers and the “no holds barred” aspect of early MMA competitions.