Overview

• Johnson says he felt "really scared" taking the role for the first time in years, telling Vanity Fair he questioned whether he could do it.
• He spent three to four hours in makeup each day, wearing roughly 13–14 prosthetics to physically transform into the UFC legend.
• Emily Blunt credits their real-life friendship with creating the trust needed for vulnerable scenes, as the team seeks a more empathetic view of Dawn Staples.
• Writer-director Benny Safdie frames the film as an exploration of "radical empathy" and has praised Johnson's full immersion in the character.
• The A24 drama premieres in competition at Venice on Sept. 1, screens at TIFF on Sept. 8, and opens in U.S. theaters Oct. 3, with some outlets noting early awards buzz.