Bas Rutten, UFC Corridor of Famer MMA veteran, mentioned his involvement in The Smashing Machine and dealing alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Rutten portrays himself, guiding Johnson via Kerr’s bodily mannerisms and emotional panorama. He recommended the forged’s performances and highlighted the film’s stability of fight realism and private drama.
Bas Rutten Talks Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Throughout a current Bloody Elbow interview, Bas Rutten revealed all. He praised Johnson’s dedication to the function, noting that filming proved simpler than anticipated due to the actor’s dedication. He recalled watching Johnson’s gestures and facial expressions mimic Kerr’s real-life mannerisms so carefully that his household instantly acknowledged the authenticity. “My spouse stated, ‘Oh my God, it’s him. He’s actually good,’” Rutten stated.
The Smashing Machine
On set, Rutten stated he felt as if he was guiding Johnson via Kerr’s world. “For me, it was actually like educating DJ. I bought goosebumps on set each time. Persons are going to see him in a complete totally different gentle,” he defined. Rutten’s function went past performing; he served as each coach and mentor, making certain the movie captured “each the humor and ache of preventing.”
Rutten additionally highlighted standout performances by his fellow fight sports activities figures turned actors. He singled out Ryan Bader, who portrays Mark Coleman, as surprisingly adept. “I believed, ‘Ryan, you might need a brand new profession, buddy,’” Rutten remarked. He was equally impressed by Oleksandr Usyk’s portrayal of Igor Vovchanchyn, praising Usyk’s ease in entrance of the digicam and his consolation inhabiting one other fighter’s persona.
“It was manner simpler than I believed it was. The rationale was DJ—he was so dedicated from the second I noticed him. We had been in touch on social media however by no means met, and after we lastly met he grabbed me and gave me a giant kiss on my head. I spotted immediately—that’s precisely how Kerr was.
“The way in which he walks, stands, talks, his facial expressions—it was excellent. 4 weeks in the past, my household and I watched the film at a particular screening only for us. My spouse stated, ‘Oh my God, it’s him. He’s actually good.’ I stated, ‘Proper. It’s the way in which he speaks.’ I haven’t seen him cry in actual life, however he cries within the film, laughs within the film, and the whole lot he does is so legit. I might say, it’s superb.”
At its world premiere on the 82nd Venice Worldwide Movie Pageant on September 1, 2025, The Smashing Machine gained the Silver Lion for Finest Director, an early indicator of the movie’s awards-season potential. Rutten famous the excessive hopes surrounding nominations and celebrated the movie’s means to stability uncooked fight sequences with moments of introspection. He pointed to Emily Blunt’s efficiency as one other spotlight, noting that her work as Daybreak Staples added depth to Kerr’s private narrative.
Rutten emphasized that the movie’s appeal lies in its trustworthy depiction of a fighter’s journey. “The film captures each single side of that,” he stated, referring to the battle, ache, and occasional humor inherent in Kerr’s profession. The film is ready to premiere on October 3.
