Christopher Nolan Praises Dwayne Johnson’s Performance in The Smashing Machine
While The Smashing Machine may not have achieved blockbuster status, Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of UFC fighter Mark Kerr has caught the attention of none other than acclaimed director Christopher Nolan. In a recent episode of The Director’s Cut, a podcast by the Directors Guild of America, Nolan expressed his admiration for Johnson’s performance during a conversation with The Smashing Machine director Benny Safdie.
Nolan described Johnson’s performance as “heartbreaking” and emphasized, “I think it’s an incredible performance. You won’t see a better performance this year or in many other years.” Although Nolan and Johnson have yet to collaborate on a project, both directors have previously shared mutual respect for each other’s work. Nolan is known to be a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, while Johnson has praised the experience of watching Oppenheimer in IMAX.
During the podcast, Safdie revealed that he was developing The Smashing Machine while filming Oppenheimer. He humorously recounted how he met Emily Blunt during the shoot, joking with Nolan, “I heard a rumor that when you were supposed to be learning your lines on my set, you were actually canvassing people to be in your movie.” Nolan chuckled, acknowledging that it seems to have worked out well for Safdie.
In closing, Nolan congratulated Safdie on The Smashing Machine, stating, “It’s a remarkable and radical piece of work that will only be appreciated more with time. I’m very proud to know you.”
For fans of Dwayne Johnson and Christopher Nolan, this exchange highlights the respect and admiration that transcends their individual projects, showcasing the depth of talent in the film industry.
