Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson spares no effort to embody his roles to perfection. Indeed, while gearing up to portray real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr in his latest film, *The Smashing Machine*, the professional wrestler recounted the "countless hours" of grueling training he underwent to mirror the physique of the 2025 UFC Hall of Famer.
"Cardio sessions in the early morning, followed by breakfast, then straight into training, another meal, and back again for the rigorous MMA drills," Dwayne shared with E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the film’s North American premiere during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. "I had to pack on 30 pounds, and believe me, that's no small feat to carry."
Beyond merely gaining the weight, the 53-year-old actor faced the added challenge of maintaining his bulk as he transitioned seamlessly into his next project. "Not only did I pile on 30 pounds for this role, but just two weeks later, I dove headfirst into live-action *Moana*," he recalled. "I had to keep all that weight on. It was absolutely insane."
When asked how he pushed through the seemingly endless hours of demanding training, Dwayne—a devoted father to Jasmine, 9, and Tiana, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian, and Simone, 24, with ex-wife Dany Garcia—credited the unwavering support of his friends and family. "I was surrounded by incredible people who constantly reassured me, saying, ‘Yeah, you’ve got this, and we’ll be right here to help you every step of the way,’" he noted. "That’s the secret sauce right there."
After all, the *Moana* star didn’t take on the role for accolades or recognition—though he has certainly sparked significant Oscar buzz ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards. "I wanted to do something for myself," he explained. "I wanted to tackle a role that would strip me bare emotionally and let me dive headfirst into the depths. Having Benny Safdie, the director, believe in me so fiercely—telling me, ‘You can do this. Not only can you do it, but I’ve got your back’—that was everything."
Beyond the steadfast encouragement from his director, Dwayne’s co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Mark’s ex-wife Dawn Staples in the biographical drama, was also a constant pillar of support. "Emily is one of my closest friends," he said of the *Devil Wears Prada* actress. "The buzz surrounding this movie is surreal and absolutely thrilling. I think the key is to stay grounded, take it all in stride, and just tackle each day as it comes."
