According to Deadline, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson took a big cut in pay to do the Mark Kerr biopic The Smashing Machine. The report notes that Johnson took a $4 million fee, which is significantly below his historical $20 million, plus points. It was added that per sources, Johnson actually gave a portion of his fee to Emily Blunt and Kerr. Blunt plays Kerr’s love interest in the film.
Deadline also notes that despite the low box office weekend opening of $5.9 million for the film, which had a $50 million budget, it is only estimated to lose around $10-$15 million due to the tax credits received for filming done in Vancouver, BC and New Mexico. The film was projected to open at $20 million. Deadline further adds that the financial losses will be based on how much the film studio – A24 will want to push the film ahead of next year’s awards.
After the film’s screening World premiere at the Venice Film Festival World premiere, the movie received a 15 minute standing ovation that brought Johnson to tears.
With The Smashing Machine being Johnson’s lowest drawing film to date, he wrote took to Instagram on Monday, writing that “you can’t control box office results, but control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere.” He added that the film also changed his life.
“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine.’ In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity. It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie @bowedtie. Thank you brother for believing in me. Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, dj”