Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie and Emily Blunt reveal the embarrassing moment that led to “The Smashing Machine”

At a glance, it is logical to know why Dwayne Johnson would like to do The breaking machine. A biographical drama on the UFC fighter, Mark Kerr, the new film by the writer / director Benny Safdie explores the ups and downs in the ring and beyond. But it was not Safdie, the famous co-allevage of Uncoupled gemsWho came to Johnson. It was the opposite. And yet, the film almost did not occur, except for an annoying moment Safdie shared with her Oppenheimer The Emily Blunt co-star.

How did it all lead to a punchy drama that praised Johnson’s dramatic chops? Kristy Puchko, editor of Mashable Entertainment, spoke with Johnson, Safdie and Blunt during a virtual quail, and learned how a vulnerable question and a missing sweater played an unexpected role in The breaking machine come to life.

Given the intensity of MMA’s fights, Johnson felt the energy Uncoupled gems It would be a good choice for Kerr’s story. So they met in 2019 to talk about it, and Safdie was there. To show his enthusiasm, Safdie found a replica of a Nautica yellow sweater that Kerr wore the famous, and he sent it with a handwritten note to Johnson. And he never heard. “Covid has arrived,” joked Johnson, adding, “I never had the note or the sweater. I thought he ghost Me! “”

Cut in the production of Oppenheimer, When Blunt says Safdie asked: “” You are friends with Dwayne, right? … Can you ask him if he ever had the sweater? “”

The breaking machine is now in theaters.