'The Smashing Machine' trivia and fun facts
Benny Safdie
The Smashing Machine marks Benny Safdie's solo directorial debut and his first narrative film he had directed without his brother and long-time creative partner Josh Safdie. They ended their partnership 5 years after the release of Diamantes en bruto (2019) to explore solo careers.
Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten will portray himself in this film as he was one of the real Mark Kerr trainers.
First R movie
Dwayne Johnson's first R movie since Baywatch (2017)
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt previously starred together in the film Jungle Cruise (2021)
Mark Kerr
Mark Kerr was a college wrestler that fought in early iterations of the UFC, Pride and other various MMA tournaments in the 90's. He had an immensely powerful build and was dogged by allegations of steroid use. He participated in a documentary entitled "The Smashing Machine" in 2002, that chronicled his training and competing, as well as his volatile relationship with his girlfriend. He was a close friend of UFC fighter Mark Coleman
Andy Kaufman
Director Benny Safdie left the production of Saturday Night: La noche que cambió la comedia (2024), where he would have played Andy Kaufman, in order to make this film.
Emily Blunt and Benny Safdie
This marks the second collaboration between Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie after starring together in Oppenheimer (2023).