Washington: Actor and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson popularly known as The Rock is all set to develop a film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr named The Smashing Machine.
The Jumanji star Dwayne will be bankrolling the film. Besides producing the flick, the star is also going to be featured in as the lead actor in the upcoming movie.
The former wrestler unveiled the project in New York following a press conference hosted by Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
According to the media reports, the press conference was being held ahead of this weekend's UFC 244 event.
"I was drawn to this because he has such a compelling story," Johnson said, adding that he watched the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr many times.
Showering appreciations for the fighter, the 47-year-old actor said: "Yes, he achieved so much in his life, but like all of us, like all of these fighters, he battled these demons."
Johnson further said that the martial arts fighter will also be involved in the project.
Garcia and Seven Bucks, president of the production house Hiram Garcia will also be stepping into the shoes of the producers for the film.
He told the audience that he broke the news in theatre because he "wanted to start with the MMA community, the UFC fans, I wanted to start with you guys first."
On the work front, Johnson's next film is the Sony sequel Jumanji: The Next Level which will be premiered next month.
Meanwhile, he will also star in Disney's Jungle Cruise which will hit the theatres in July 2020.
Dwayne Johnson to back film on MMA fighter Mark Kerr
Former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson has zeroed in to make a film on MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Besides playing the lead in the film, Dwayne is also going to produce the upcoming flick.
Washington: Actor and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson popularly known as The Rock is all set to develop a film on mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr named The Smashing Machine.
The Jumanji star Dwayne will be bankrolling the film. Besides producing the flick, the star is also going to be featured in as the lead actor in the upcoming movie.
The former wrestler unveiled the project in New York following a press conference hosted by Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
According to the media reports, the press conference was being held ahead of this weekend's UFC 244 event.
"I was drawn to this because he has such a compelling story," Johnson said, adding that he watched the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr many times.
Showering appreciations for the fighter, the 47-year-old actor said: "Yes, he achieved so much in his life, but like all of us, like all of these fighters, he battled these demons."
Johnson further said that the martial arts fighter will also be involved in the project.
Garcia and Seven Bucks, president of the production house Hiram Garcia will also be stepping into the shoes of the producers for the film.
He told the audience that he broke the news in theatre because he "wanted to start with the MMA community, the UFC fans, I wanted to start with you guys first."
On the work front, Johnson's next film is the Sony sequel Jumanji: The Next Level which will be premiered next month.
Meanwhile, he will also star in Disney's Jungle Cruise which will hit the theatres in July 2020.
