Dwayne Johnson faces the worst premiere of his career
While 'The Smashing Machine' received a standing ovation at Venice, it's not receiving the same enthusiasm at the box office.
Dwayne Johnson "The Rock" is facing the lowest opening of his career at the box office with his latest film, "The Smashing Machine," an A24-produced drama that grossed just $5.9 million domestically in its first weekend week.
Despite the numbers, the actor is demonstrating a serene and grateful attitude, focusing on the artistic value of the project.
The film, directed by Benny Safdie, features Johnson in the role of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Mark Kerr, a character that, according to the actor, changed his life.
Through an Instagram post, Johnson reflected on the experience: “You can’t control the box office, but you can control acting and the commitment to completely disappear into a character. And I will always take advantage of that opportunity.”
A high production cost
'The Smashing Machine' placed third at the box office, well below initial projections, which estimated a collection between 8 and 15 million dollars.
This result marks Johnson’s worst debut of his entire career, negatively surpassing the premiere of 'Faster' in 2010, which obtained $8.5 million.
Furthermore, the film represents a significant financial blow for A24, which invested around $50 million in its production, not counting additional promotional costs, which included presentations at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival.
Despite these numbers, the film has been well received by critics. At its premiere in Venice, Safdie won the award for Best Director, and Johnson's performance has been highlighted as one of the strongest of his career, even positioning him as a possible Oscar candidate. Alongside Emily Blunt, who plays Dawn Staples, Kerr's wife.
Johnson stars in a drama based on real events that explores the couple's turbulent relationship and the fighter's personal and professional challenges,including his struggle with substance abuse.
Mark Kerr, on whom the film is based, was a prominent MMA fighter from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships throughout his career.
Johnson closed his social media message with words of gratitude to Safdie and the public: “It was an honor for me to take on this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you, brother, for believing in me. Honestly, this movie has changed my life.”