The Rock Reveals Why He Feels Stuck in Action Roles

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is among the most popular faces in Hollywood. Over the years, he dominated the big screen in movies such as Jumanji, Fast and Furious, and many other action movies. But while audiences love his role as the muscle-packed hero who saves the world, Rock himself says it hasn’t always been satisfying to perform only in one kind of role.

At the Venice Film Festival, where he introduced his new film ‘The Smashing Machine,’ The Rock revealed how being pigeonholed has sometimes left him frustrated. He told reporters, “Hollywood tells you, ‘This is your lane, this is what you do, this is what people want you to be.’” Once you become an action guy, it becomes very difficult to switch to other roles.

That’s exactly why ‘The Smashing Machine’ is such a big deal for him. Directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems) and starring Emily Blunt alongside Johnson, the film tells the real-life story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The film is not merely about fights and victories. It is primarily about the personal struggles as well as the pain behind the scenes.

Early reviews from Venice say Johnson’s emotional performance shows an entirely new side of him. Some critics are also hinting at Oscar buzz.

For Dwayne Johnson, this role isn’t about proving anything to the Hollywood industry. It’s actually about proving something to himself. He admitted that for years he questioned whether he was living his own dream or merely following the dream the other people had mapped out for him. Choosing this new role was his way of taking back control.

The Smashing Machine is set to release in cinemas on October 3.