In Conversation With... Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is truly one of a kind: the professional wrestler turned movie superstar has a powerful connection with his global fan base, which includes diehard adult wrestling fans, young Maui devotees, and everyone in between. Over the past two decades, Johnson has carefully sculpted his onscreen persona and career, headlining such box office hits as The Scorpion King (2002), various instalments in the Fast & Furious franchise (2011–2019), the Jumanji series (2017, 2019), and Disney juggernauts like the beloved Moana films (2016, 2024) and the action-adventure Jungle Cruise (2021). By putting the audience’s entertainment and enjoyment above all, Johnson has become one of the biggest stars on the planet. A disciplined athlete and performer who often portrays larger-than-life characters onscreen, Johnson’s magnanimity also extends to his support of countless charitable causes off-screen. While he has perfected his approach to blockbuster filmmaking and producing over the past two decades, in A24 and Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, he portrays a different kind of character in a different kind of film. As we present the North American Premiere of this highly anticipated drama, Johnson joins us for an exclusive conversation about his journey from the ring to Hollywood, his work as a producer and co-owner of Seven Bucks Productions, and his creative collaboration with Safdie and longtime friend and co-star Emily Blunt to bring the true story of MMA legend Mark Kerr to the big screen.