Published on February 29, 2024
Emily Blunt in Talks to Join Dwayne Johnson in A24’s ‘The Smashing Machine’

Blunt would play Dawn Staples, the new wife of MMA champion Matt Kerr.

Emily Blunt is in talks to star opposite Dwayne Johnson in A24’s Smashing Machine, which is written and directed by Benny Safdie.

Johnson is set to star in The Smashing Machine as real-life mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Blunt would star as Dawn Staples, the new wife to Kerr. Safdie has been developing the project with Johnson, who notably started his career as a professional wrestler, since 2019.

A 2002 HBO doc also titled The Smashing Machine detailed Kerr’s professional career and his rise through the fighting world, as well as his battle with an addiction to pain killers that led to an overdose. Kerr earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” due to no-holds-barred fighting style.

A24 will finance the film, as well as produce alongside Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush and David Koplan.

To read more on The Hollywood Reporter, click here.