‘Awards Chatter’ Pod: Dwayne Johnson on ‘The Smashing Machine,’ Its Box Office, ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Moana’ Sequels and That bin Laden Tweet

‘Awards Chatter’ Podcast: Dwayne Johnson on ‘The Smashing Machine’ and More

In a recent recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Dwayne Johnson spoke candidly before an audience of 500 film students at Chapman University in Orange County. The superstar wrestler-turned-actor reflected on his career and his Oscar-recognized role as Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's A24 film The Smashing Machine.

Chasing Challenges Over Box Office

Johnson said about the film, “I was ready to chase the challenge and not chase the box office.” In The Smashing Machine, he portrays Mark Kerr, an early MMA fighter whose promising life took a troubling direction.

Box Office Powerhouse

While that sentiment might seem unremarkable from most actors, Johnson’s status makes it noteworthy. He is one of the most commercially successful actors of his era.

Record-Breaking Releases

In the past year alone, Johnson had two films debut at number one at the box office within the same calendar month: Moana 2 and Red One. This achievement was unprecedented for any actor or actress in 27 years.

“I was ready to chase the challenge and not chase the box office.”
— Dwayne Johnson on his role in The Smashing Machine

Such successes fuel the ongoing expectation that any film starring Johnson will become a blockbuster hit.

Author’s Summary

Dwayne Johnson continues to balance artistic challenges with massive box office success, solidifying his legacy as a top-earning and versatile Hollywood star.

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The Hollywood Reporter The Hollywood Reporter — 2025-11-06

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