Dwayne Johnson opens up about being typecast for blockbusters

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he was “pigeonholed” as a blockbuster-only actor, and his new role in The Smashing Machine marks a bold move toward more emotionally driven storytelling.

In the A24 biopic, Johnson plays UFC legend Mark Kerr, a former wrestling champion who battled substance abuse during his rise to fame. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s then-wife, Dawn Staples. Directed and written by Uncut Gems co-creator Benny Safdie, the film hits theaters on October 3, 2025.

At the Venice Film Festival, Johnson shared that this role reflects a major shift in his career and mindset. “I've been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now,” he said. “When you're in Hollywood, it becomes about box office. It pushes you into a lane—‘This is who you are, this is what you do.’”

Known for massive hits like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, Moana, and Black Adam, Johnson acknowledged the fun and success those films brought—but also the limits. “Some were great, some not so great,” he admitted. “But I kept hearing a voice inside saying, ‘What if there’s more?’”

He credits loved ones and collaborators for encouraging him to step outside that comfort zone. “Sometimes it takes people you respect to say, ‘You can do more.’”

Now 53, Johnson is almost unrecognizable in the role of Kerr—no tattoos, and even sporting hair. The transformation has already sparked Oscar buzz.

Reflecting on his career, he said: “A few years ago, I asked myself: Am I living my dream, or someone else’s? I want to live mine now—and put everything I’ve experienced into something real.”