If reports are to be believed negotiations are underway to tap Academy Award-nominated Emily Blunt to star opposite Dwayne Johnson in A24’s The Smashing Machine. If things go accordingly as plan, Blunt will portray the character of Dawn Staples, the new wife to MMA champion Mark Kerr. While trying to set up a life together, Dawn struggles to find her place within Mark’s chaotic and contradictory world.
As per reports, the drama is based on the story of Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC. He struggles with addiction, winning, love, and friendship, set in the year 2000.
During his MMA career, Kerr became two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, won the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament, and PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion. Additionally, he boasted accolades such as the 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion, and four-time ADCC World Submission Champion.
In 2003, Kerr became the focal point of an HBO documentary titled “The Smashing Machine,” chronicling his exploits in MMA, encompassing his battles in Vale Tudo, the UFC, and PRIDE.
Written and directed by Benny Safdie, with production and funding by A24, the film features collaborative efforts from Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush, and David Koplan.
Since Seven Bucks Productions acquired the rights in 2019, Johnson and Safdie have been working in tandem on the project.
Currently, Blunt is Oscar-nominated for her performance as Kitty Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer which is nominated for best picture, among others.
This is the second time that Blunt and Johnson will star in a movie. Previously was in 2021’s Jungle Cruise, for which a sequel is in development with Blunt and Johnson set to reprise their roles.
Blunt’s other credits include A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place Part II, The Devil Wears Prada, The Girl on the Train, Into the Woods and The English.
Blunt is under the representation of CAA, The Artists Partnership, and David Weber of Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.
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