It has been 22 years since Dwayne Johnson set foot in Hollywood. At the pinnacle of stardom in the WWE, Johnson bagged his debut role as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns in 2001. Two years later, he had moved out of pro wrestling to pursue acting full-time.

As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson continues to reign as Hollywood’s blockbuster maestro with hits like Moana, Jumanji, the Fast and Furious series, and Jungle Cruise, his upcoming venture, The Smashing Machine, raises a compelling question. Will the film push Dwayne Johnson into critical acclaim beyond his blockbuster success?

Can his new film bring him critical acclaim?

In 2023, Dwayne Johnson faced a setback with Black Adam despite its $400 million box office earnings. Criticisms about his acting ability intensified, drawing parallels to his idol, Will Smith.

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However, with The Smashing Machine on the horizon, Johnson anticipates a turnaround, offering a look into why this film might be the game-changer for The People’s Champion this time. This new movie is based on the life of the famous and legendary MMA player Mark Kerr. 

Let’s look into some factors as to how his new movie can be a hit with critics.

Johnson defies criticism, embracing a challenging role in The Smashing Machine

With The Smashing Machine, Johnson steps out of his comfort zone, challenging criticisms of sticking to samey roles like his characters in Jumanji, Journey to the Mysterious Island, Jungle Cruise, and Moana. 

This bold move reflects a strategic shift, signaling a commitment to diverse and challenging performances. It’s a noteworthy strategy that could elevate his acting prowess, garnering critical acclaim and boosting his overall ratings as a versatile actor.

Johnson dreamt big as he wanted to be the next Will Smith

Dwayne Johnson, inspired by Will Smith’s career, embraced the chance to emulate his idol by starring in a biopic. Interestingly, Johnson’s initial agency, when he first embarked on his acting journey, laughed at his aspiration to match Will Smith’s stardom.

Johnson revealed this during a conference he offered to Los Angeles Lakers players. He said: “Will Smith is my boy but at that time I sat down with the agency that I was with, and they said what do you want to accomplish? I said, I want to accomplish the world, I want the world and I want Will Smith’s career, but I want to do it bigger and better. And they looked at me like I had three heads. And they were like, Umm, yeah, okay.”

Following Will Smith’s lead, Dwayne Johnson seems to be diving into biographical roles, much like Smith’s portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard.

WWE Legend Unveils His Frustration With Dwayne Johnson Before The Rock’s WWE Debut Due to This Connection

Now, Johnson takes on a real-life character in the biography of a former UFC champion, mirroring the connection through their shared venture into biopic films.

A24 replicated the same strategy for Adam Sandler 

A24 employs a strategy similar to Dwayne Johnson’s career trajectory for Adam Sandler, seeking critical acclaim amidst previous commercial success challenges. In 2019, Sandler’s unforgettable performance in Uncut Gems, a crime thriller directed by the Safdie brothers, showcased a character study of Howard Ratner‘s relentless pursuit of success. 

Ratner’s complex personality, captured brilliantly by Sandler, explores themes of addiction, power, and the consequences of misconstruing dissatisfaction as ambition. Despite Ratner’s flaws and escalating troubles, Sandler’s performance, overlooked by the Oscars, delivers a powerful message. The message was about the pitfalls of insatiable ambition and the importance of appreciating what one already has.

Do you think this time Johnson can nail his role and achieve critical acclaim?

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