“Because I Was Too Scared To Explore This Stuff”: Dwayne Johnson on Why Roles Like ‘The Smashing Machine’ Were Likely Not Coming His Way

Dwayne Johnson, known for his onscreen fare in action tentpoles like Netflix’s Red Notice and Jumanji reboot films, posited he wasn’t getting the opportunity for more “raw and gritty” roles as he was “too scared” to explore more vulnerable themes.

In an interview with Vanity Fair promoting the forthcoming release of A24‘s The Smashing Machine, the professional wrestler-turned-performer noted he was nervous about portraying legendary MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr in the Benny Safdie-helmed biopic.

“It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this?” he said. “I realized that maybe these opportunities weren’t coming my way because I was too scared to explore this stuff.”