Set amidst the serene landscapes of rural Virginia, Dwayne Johnson has found his very own private sanctuary. This picturesque farm features a well-stocked pond, where he often enjoys peaceful fishing trips alone. "Just me, and I'll bring the girls here, and it's magical," Johnson shared, emphasizing the tranquility of the property. "Just the way the property is set up, I never have to see anybody. And I know it sounds crazy, and maybe kind of weird, but that's fun for me." When asked about what this solitude does for him, he simply replied, "Peace." In a world filled with chaos, finding peace has become increasingly challenging for the superstar.
Last month, Johnson made headlines by attending the prestigious Venice Film Festival for his most ambitious film yet, The Smashing Machine. In this gripping role, he portrays the real-life mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time world champion who has battled with drug addiction and depression. To prepare for this transformative role, Johnson endured three hours of daily makeup and prosthetics to accurately depict Kerr. "I've never played anyone quite so real before," he admitted, expressing his eagerness to take on such a profound character. For years, he has dreamed of this moment, longing for a role that would allow him to "really sink [his] teeth into" his performance.
When asked if he had any doubts about taking on this raw role, Johnson candidly acknowledged, "When it became real, yes." Director Benny Safdie has paired him with Emily Blunt, who plays Mark Kerr's volatile wife, Dawn Staples. The duo previously collaborated on Disney's Jungle Cruise, a film that helped solidify Johnson's multi-billion-dollar career. Reflecting on his past, Johnson revealed, "I was chasing something for a lot of years, and what I was chasing was box office." However, he recognized the emptiness behind this pursuit, stating, "There's a part of me... that goes, 'Don't rock the boat. Stay in this zone. Everyone's happy.' But the heart is like, 'Yeah. But you're not being fulfilled.'"
Throughout his life, Johnson has faced numerous challenges. Growing up with a professional wrestler father, he experienced trauma, including being evicted from their apartment at the age of 15. This difficult upbringing led him to wrestling on local TV in Memphis, where he started to carve out a path for himself. He fought against poverty, eventually becoming the wrestling legend known as The Rock before transitioning into a successful film career, spanning action-packed franchises like Fast and Furious to animated features like Moana.
For The Smashing Machine, Johnson had to delve deep into his emotions to portray a character whose life is unraveling. He recalled a particularly poignant scene where Kerr loses his first fight, saying, "I went back to what it's like being a 15-year-old kid and coming home and being evicted." When asked about the emotional toll of "ripping himself open" for the role, Johnson reflected, "The thing that I was running from... is actually the thing that I needed the most." This transformative experience has allowed him to view his passion for acting in a new light.
These days, Johnson often speaks about the importance of gratitude. At his tranquil property in Virginia, he finds even more reasons to be thankful. However, when pressed about Oscar buzz surrounding his performance, he quickly dismissed the topic, stating, "No, no, I can't, I can't. The thought that that is even a question? … You know, trailer park kid." As a married father of three, Johnson is set to begin work on another Moana film soon, along with another dramatic project. While he will always be known as The Rock, he acknowledges that transformation is possible, humorously noting, "This Rock, for one, seems smaller now. Yeah. Svelte!"
As he embarks on this new journey in his career, Johnson describes it not merely as a new chapter, but as a whole new book. "And I love it," he adds, embracing the evolution of his artistic expression. With The Smashing Machine set to hit theaters on October 3, fans eagerly await to see this new and vulnerable side of Dwayne Johnson.
