Dwayne JohnsonAfter ‘Smashing Machine’ Worst Opening Ever: ‘You Can’t Control Box Office Results’
Mega-star Dwayne Johnson experienced the worst box office opening of his career with The Smashing Machine, the A24 drama that debuted to a meager $5.9 million domestically.
But the actor is taking the bad news in stride. Johnson posted on Instagram that “you can’t control box office results” and praised director Benny Safdie for changing his life with the film, which casts Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine,’” Johnson posted. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity.
“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me,” Johnson added. Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
It’s also a blow to A24, which spent $50 million to produce the movie — and many millions more on promotional efforts, including stops at Venice and Toronto Film Festival.”
“The Smashing Machine” was largely acclaimed when it premiered at Venice, with Safdie winning the fest’s best director prize. Even reviews that were not favorable to the movie still praised Johnson’s leading turn, which has been widely tipped as a major contender in the Oscar race for best actor.
“The Smashing Machine” is playing in theaters nationwide from A24.
