The Rock To Be Away Making A24 Movie From May 1 - August 1

The Rock’s post-WrestleMania future in WWE looks to have been decided, with the TKO board member set to enter production on a new movie from May 1.

The Rock - aka Dwayne Johnson - is set to portray UFC legend Mark Kerr in A24’s The Smashing Machine, an adaptation of the acclaimed 2002 documentary of the same name. Production is slated from May 1 until August 1, 2024, with such a schedule implying that Rock will be off WWE TV for several months, or at the very least unable to do anything physical in a WWE ring.

Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie will be helming the project, a dramatic re-telling of Kerr’s life. Kerr won the UFC 14 and 15 heavyweight tournaments, and also competed in PRIDE, and Vale Tudo fighting tournaments during his professional career whilst battling addiction.

The movie will also star Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples, whilst casting has not yet been revealed for the portrayals of fellow MMA legends Bas Rutten, Igor Vovchanchyn, and Mark Coleman.

The Rock is set to compete at WWE WrestleMania XL night one, teaming with Bloodline partner Roman Reigns against Seth Rollins, and Cody Rhodes.