‘Awards Chatter’ Podcast: Dwayne Johnson on ‘The Smashing Machine,’ Box Office, and Sequels
In a lively session before 500 film students at Chapman University, Dwayne Johnson, the professional wrestler turned global movie star, spoke openly about his career, life choices, and his recent role in Benny Safdie’s A24 film The Smashing Machine, where he portrays MMA pioneer Mark Kerr.
“I was ready to chase the challenge and not chase the box office,”
Johnson’s remark, made during The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, reflected his evolving priorities as an actor. The film highlights the turbulent life of Kerr, capturing the physical and emotional struggles behind early mixed martial arts.
Despite taking on more introspective roles, Johnson remains one of Hollywood’s most profitable stars. At 53, he has been recognized by Forbes as the world’s highest-grossing actor multiple times — in 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024. With 40 films credited to him, spanning high-octane action and family-friendly adventures, his total global box office earnings approach $14 billion, averaging $349.7 million per film.
In the past year alone, Johnson achieved a notable milestone: releasing two films that debuted at number one in the same month — Moana 2 and Red One — a feat unmatched in nearly three decades. This success reinforces the enduring expectation that any project led by Johnson is bound to dominate the box office.
Author’s Summary
Dwayne Johnson discussed his passion for meaningful storytelling, balancing artistic growth with box office dominance, and reaffirmed his rare position as one of cinema’s most reliable stars.
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