Overview
- Dwayne Johnson said he had an out-of-body experience hearing Nolan call his performance “incredible” during a Directors Guild of America screening with Benny Safdie.
- Johnson recounted hugging Nolan afterward and hearing him reaffirm, “I meant what I said… the best performance of the year.”
- Nolan’s remarks were first shared on The Director’s Cut podcast and quickly circulated, spotlighting Johnson’s turn as MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
- The Smashing Machine, which charts Kerr’s ascent and personal struggles, has a roughly 70% Rotten Tomatoes score but modest global grosses of about $20.4 million.
- ClutchPoints reports the film remains on its awards campaign, as lighthearted chatter about an Emily Blunt casting rumor surfaced and was downplayed by Safdie.