Dwayne Johnson breaks silence after career-worst box office debut of ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne Johnson shared his reaction to the film’s slow opening on Instagram. He acknowledged the disappointing results, but also said that as an actor, box office earnings are beyond his control.

New Delhi: Hollywood superstar Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's latest film, 'The Smashing Machine,' has had a disappointing opening at the box office. This biopic from A24 Studios opened with only $5.9 million, the lowest gross of Johnson's career to date. This figure is well below expectations of a projected $8-15 million.

'Focus On Story, Not Earnings': Dwayne Johnson Response

Dwayne Johnson shared his reaction to the film's slow opening on Instagram. He acknowledged the disappointing results, but also said that as an actor, box office earnings are beyond his control.

He wrote, "In our world of storytelling, you can't control box office results. But you can completely immerse yourself in the character. And that's what I did." Johnson thanked the film's director, Benny Safdie, and called it a "life-changing" project in his career.

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Film Story and Praise

Dwayne Johnson plays UFC champion Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine." The film closely depicts Kerr's substance abuse, mental struggles, and personal life.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where director Safdie won the Best Director award. Critics praised Dwayne's intense and emotional performance. While many reviews received mixed reviews, Dwayne's performance was generally praised.

Attempting a Career Change

Dwayne Johnson has long been known for his big action films and blockbuster franchises, but with "The Smashing Machine," he attempted a new direction.

Although the box office results were disappointing, the film has become a symbol of artistic growth and personal transformation for him. He said, "Transforming into this character was an honor. This film changed my life."

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Hopes Are High For Oscar Season

Speculation is rife for an Oscar nomination for the film. If it wins, it could catapult Dwayne Johnson's career from just an action star to a serious actor.

For now, all eyes are on whether the film wins with audiences in the coming weeks.