Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is opening up about one of the biggest disappointments of his acting career, admitting that missing out on a Best Actor Oscar nomination for The Smashing Machine still stings—and continues to fuel his next chapter as a performer.
Speaking about the awards season outcome months after the film's release, Johnson acknowledged that he wanted the recognition. Despite widespread praise for his dramatic turn as former MMA champion Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine was largely shut out of major Oscar categories, earning just a single nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The film's awards hopes faded after a disappointing box-office run, even though it debuted to strong reviews and received a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
Johnson didn't downplay the significance of the snub. "It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar," he said to Esquire in a recent interview. "I realized very quickly that it's a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you're even having these conversations. And it's exciting! It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn't."
The Smashing Machine marked a major departure from the blockbuster image that made Johnson one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Directed by Benny Safdie, the A24 drama follows Kerr's rise in mixed martial arts and his struggles with addiction. The role required Johnson to leave behind the larger-than-life persona that made him famous through wrestling, action franchises, and family-friendly hits.
Industry observers pointed to several factors behind the film's Oscar disappointment. While critics praised Johnson's restrained and vulnerable performance, some awards watchers noted that Academy voters have historically been hesitant to embrace actors best known for action spectacles when they pivot into prestige dramas.
Others questioned whether the film's awards campaign felt authentic, particularly given Johnson's long association with major studio franchises.
Still, Johnson appears more focused on what comes next than on revisiting what went wrong. "But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, 'Oh, that doesn't matter,'" he said. "I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine... which is: Let's go back to work."
That work is already underway. Johnson is continuing to pursue more dramatic material and has lined up projects with some of the industry's most respected filmmakers. Director Darren Aronofsky praised his performance in The Smashing Machine as "fearless," while Martin Scorsese said Johnson and the cast ventured into "challenging and uncomfortable territory" that left a lasting impression.
