The Smashing Machine’s opening day at the box office hints that the Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt-starrer might struggle to achieve its targeted revenue of $8 million to $15 million (via Variety) in its first week after its release in the US and Canada.
Based on the life of UFC legend Mark Kerr, the Benny Safdie-directed biographical sports drama reportedly earned $850,000 from its previews and IMAX screenings, falling far behind its desired collections. (via The Numbers)
However, Johnson’s performance in The Smashing Machine and the movie’s overall raw and gritty on-screen presentation garnered much appreciation from cinema enthusiasts after its first day of screening. Given its MMA-based plot, the film also features a collection of combat sports stars who played their roles effectively.
After witnessing how Benny Safdie and Co. amalgamated fighters with regular actors for the movie, it’s time to learn about its ten most essential characters and compare the distinction between their real-life appearances and their on-screen portrayals by the film’s cast.
1. Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
The Smashing Machine’s critical appreciation speaks volumes about Johnson’s commendable job on screen as Kerr. Besides excelling in the movie’s MMA-themed action sequences, The Rock’s compelling portrayal of the emotional junctures significantly impacted viewers. (via RenGeekness on X)
However, the movie’s makeup unit also did a remarkable job of transforming Johnson’s appearance to match Kerr’s. With a combination of curly hair and a protruding jawline, Johnson’s look aptly resembled Kerr’s appearance.
2. Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples
The Grammy-nominated actress Emily Blunt plays Kerr’s former wife, Dawn Staples, in The Smashing Machine. Blunt’s compelling portrayal of the movie’s demanding, heavy-hearted sequences makes her a worthy addition to the cast.
Besides shining on screen with her acting, Blunt, who has blonde hair, converted herself into a brunette to match Staples’ appearance. Her look in the movie resembles Staples’ appearance to such an extent that viewers wouldn’t have to think much to figure out what character she is playing.
3. Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Mark Coleman is as popular in the MMA community as Mark Kerr. Hence, Sadfie and Co. didn’t take any chances by casting a regular actor for Coleman’s role, as he would have lacked the MMA skills.
The A24 team elected the former UFC light heavyweight, Ryan Bader, to play Coleman in The Smashing Machine. After watching the trailer, it can be safely said that Bader’s current look resembles Coleman’s UFC days’ appearance to a large degree.
4. Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn
A large chunk of fans were probably taken aback after witnessing the reigning undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in the trailer of The Smashing Machine. The Cat plays Kerr’s Pride FC rival, Igor Vovchanchyn, in the movie, who locked horns with Kerr on two occasions.
However, Kerr never managed to get the upper hand on Vovchanchyn. Their first match at Pride 7 ended in a draw, while the Ukrainian defeated him in their second encounter at Pride 12.
5. Satoshi Ishii as Enson Inoue
Kerr fought the accomplished Japanese mixed martial artist, Enson Inoue, in the opening round of the Pride Grand Prix in 2000. The 56-year-old also secured a victory against Inoue via unanimous decision.
Sadfie and Co. decided to cast Satoshi Ishii, a Japanese multi-genre combat sports athlete, as Inoue in the movie to present an apt portrayal of the Kerr vs. Inoue Pride FC fight sequence. The resemblance between Inoue’s and Ishii’s appearances also might have played a significant part in the latter’s selection for the role.
6. James Moontasri as Akira Shoji
Former UFC fighter James Moontasri’s appearance resembles Kerr’s former rival, Akira Shoji’s look, which helped him land a role in The Smashing Machine. Moontasri‘s experience in shooting action sequences for movies like Mulan and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw also played a significant part in earning him his cameo in Safdie’s movie.
7. Roberto Abreu as Fabio Gurgel
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that The Samshing Machine gets its name from Kerr’s 1997 Vale Tudo fight with Fabio Gurgel. Kerr earned a hard-fought victory over the Brazilian martial artist in a no-time-limit bout, which earned him his alias, The Smashing Machine.
While the Brazilian BJJ athlete, Roberto Abreu’s muscular build made him a good match to play Gurgel in the movie, his bald head added another layer of resemblance between his and Gurgel’s appearances.
8. Marcus Aurelio as Mestre Hulk
1997 was a glorious year in Kerr’s fighting career as he achieved multiple victories over noted rivals in the World Vale Tudo Championship 3. The 56-year-old faced the Brazilian fighter, Mestre Hulk, in the same tournament in January 1997. Kerr’s victory over Hulk is undoubtedly one of his most dominant performances as his rival quit the ring after absorbing a barrage of grounded strikes.
The Brazilian Bellator MMA fighter Marcus Aurelio plays Hulk in The Smashing Machine. His muscular build and similar skin color to Hulk make him well-suited to play Kerr’s rival in the movie.
9. Bas Rutten as himself
Bas Rutten, a former Pancrase star, played a massive part in improving Kerr’s performance inside the Pride ring and UFC cage. The 56-year-old’s striking improved significantly under Rutten’s coaching, helping him earn bigger accolades in his fighting career.
However, Kerr and Rutten experienced a few setbacks during their time together, which have been showcased in the movie. Safdie’s job of detailing the sequences to Rutten became much easier as Rutten plays himself in The Smashing Machine.
10. Stephen Quadros as Himself
Like Rutten, the former Pride FC commentator, Stephen Quadros, also plays himself in the movie. Quadros became a Pride FC staple with his commentary during Kerr’s time in the promotion. This made him an indispensable character for The Smashing Machine.
Selecting Quadros to play himself in the movie made Safdie’s work much easier, as the former witnessed most of Kerr’s fights first-hand. A touch of makeup might have been enough to revamp Quadros’ late 1990s and early 2000s look for the movie.
So, whose look do you think was the closest to the real-life appearance of the characters they played in The Smashing Machine? Let us know in the comments below.
