Dwayne Johnson’s $40 Million Box Office Bomb Hits #1 on VOD Charts
Dwayne Johnson’s recent MMA biopic, which cost $40 million to make but earned barely half that at the box office, has found huge success on Video on Demand (VOD). After its VOD release just days ago, The Smashing Machine quickly rose to the top, ranking #1 in the U.S. and reaching the top 10 in over 15 countries worldwide.
About the Film and Cast
The film portrays Mark Kerr, played by Johnson, with Emily Blunt as Dawn, Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman, and Andrew Tricoteux as Paul Varelans. It was written and directed by Benny Safdie and draws inspiration from a 2002 documentary about Kerr’s life and career.
Creative Team Background
Benny Safdie is known for co-writing and directing Uncut Gems alongside his brother Josh Safdie. The Smashing Machine represents a notable shift for Johnson, who typically stars in big-budget blockbusters but here plays a more nuanced role.
Johnson and Safdie’s Next Project
Following The Smashing Machine, Safdie and Johnson are collaborating again on Lizard Music, a new fantasy adventure film. Johnson has lost weight for this role and will portray a much older character.
“The film has immediately climbed to the top of the VOD charts, sitting at #1 in America and in the top 10 in more than 15 countries worldwide.”
“Safdie is best known for his work co-writing and directing Uncut Gems with his brother, Josh Safdie.”
Author’s summary: Despite underperforming at the box office, Dwayne Johnson’s MMA biopic quickly topped VOD charts worldwide, marking a unique success and creative shift for the star.