Dwayne Johnson's intriguing collaboration with Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie has landed a fall release date, putting it in the upcoming Oscar race. Johnson is set to star in The Smashing Machine, the biopic of Mma fighter Mark Kerr and is directed by Benny Safdie, one half of the directing duo The Safdie Brothers, who previously directed Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems and Robert Pattinson in Good Time. Johnson will co-star with Emily Blunt, with whom he previously worked on The Jungle Cruise. Johnson is also producing the film through his company, Seven Bucks Productions, alongside A24.

According to Deadline, A24 has set The Smashing Machine for an October 3, 2025, release date. The news came shortly after it was reported that Lionsgate would remove their Michael Jackson biopic Michaelfrom that date. The Smashing Machine will now open opposite the crime drama Roofman starring Channing Tatum, the Christmas comedy The Man with the Bag,...