Dwayne Johnson wants to do more dramatic work on “films that matter”
Dwayne Johnson has signalled his intentions to work on more dramatic films, in a move away from the action blockbusters that made him famous.The Hollywood star and former professional wrestler has been announced as the lead in the upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine, which will tell the story of the MMA fighter and UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Kerr.The film, an A24 production, is set to be written and directed by Benny Safdie, one half of the Safdie Brothers, who made films including Uncut Gems and Good Time.Speaking to Variety about the film and his move to more serious acting, Johnson said: “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”“I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies,” he continued.