Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ hits theaters in just two days, and fans cannot ignore the anticipation surrounding this $50 million Hollywood spectacle. Drawing from the turbulent real-life journey of UFC legend Mark Kerr, the film showcases the creative synergy between filmmaker Benny Safdie and Johnson. After making waves at prestigious festivals like Venice and Toronto last month, the film brought its momentum to Los Angeles this week, where the movie held its official premiere.

At the LA premiere, fighters, fans, and Hollywood stars filled the event. Demetrious Johnson joined several cast members, including former fighters like Ryan Bader, blurring the line between MMA and Hollywood. Not only does the film capture the soaring highs and crushing lows of Mark Kerr’s journey, but it also highlights the lives of other fighters from that era and celebrates a “dream come true” moment.

Emotional note from a UFC legend to Dwayne Johnson

The upcoming film The Smashing Machine delivers a sobering portrait of a fighter’s journey, capturing not only Mark Kerr’s triumphs in UFC and PRIDE but also the deep bond he shares with fellow fighter Mark Coleman, who is known for his 12 big finishes(8 submissions and 4 KOs). Former UFC and Bellator fighter Ryan Bader portrays 60-year-old Coleman in the movie. After attending the premiere with Dwayne Johnson, Mark Kerr, and other notable figures, Coleman shared a heartfelt message on Instagram directed at ‘The Rock’.

“The Smashing Machine Movie premiere in LA,” Coleman wrote. “I could’ve never imagined 20 years ago @markkerrtsm and I filming the Smashing Machine documentary would’ve turned into this. WOW, I’m feeling so blessed and grateful to be along on this journey. I can’t wait for you all to see it in theaters Oct. 3rd! Thank you all for always supporting me thank you (The Rock), A24, Benny Safdie for making this happen. A dream come true.”

The film reimagines the 2002 HBO documentary, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, in which Coleman also appeared. While the original documentary offered a raw, real-time glimpse into Kerr’s life, the new adaptation promises to be “real, raw, and emotional,” as Mark Coleman declared, allowing audiences to dive deeper into the heart of both the sport and the man behind the fighter. Coleman’s praise reflects reality.

Audiences gave the film a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, as they applauded the compelling storytelling, Dwayne Johnson’s transformed performance, and the nuanced portrayal of fighters beyond stereotypical roles. Although ‘The Rock’ has helped Coleman achieve his dreams before, this project carries the power to resonate far beyond the screen.

‘The Rock’ helps Mark Coleman achieve his dream through The Smashing Machine

Two of MMA’s earliest giants, Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman, once stood atop the fight world. However, outside the cage, both men fought in darker arenas—Kerr battled painkillers and opioid addiction, while Coleman wrestled with alcohol and a volatile temper that shadowed his every step. For years, their victories and titles disguised personal wars they couldn’t win. Meanwhile, Kerr headlined a groundbreaking 2002 HBO documentary that captured not only his rise, rivalry, and friendship with Coleman but also the destructive grip of addiction.

Coleman, by contrast, cemented his legacy as the UFC’s first heavyweight champion, yet his inner turmoil gradually pulled him into a downward spiral. Ultimately, their stories became cautionary lessons of how fame and fighting can forge legends yet leave deep scars. Now, decades later, both men are rewriting their legacies—transforming survival into testimony. Their journeys will soon reach the big screen, with Dwayne Johnson bringing Kerr’s story to Hollywood and spotlighting Coleman’s battles as well.

When MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs recently asked Coleman how it feels to have a new generation discover his story, he replied: “Hey, man. I always wanted to be famous, not going to lie, but all for the wrong reasons, you know what I mean? But now, I appreciate the fame because it gives me a platform. It gives me a platform to help people in getting sober. That’s what I’m here for. You know, God took away my obsession to drink. He guides me now, and I’m here to try to help people get sober.”

With the countdown to The Smashing Machine now underway, the spotlight shifts to whether Dwayne Johnson can channel that same raw intensity into Mark Kerr’s biopic as he did with the film’s promotion. The hype is undeniable, but will the film leave a lasting impact remains to be seen. Share your thoughts below.