Actor Dwayne Johnson knows a thing or two about starring in films that do well and the ones that fail at the box office. Earlier this year, his film Red One did not fare well at the box office, but it set a viewership record after its release on Prime Video. According to a Variety report, his film The Smashing Machine opened in theatres to a collection of only about $6 million in the USA. Johnson took to Instagram to share his thoughts about the film and addressed its commercial performance. The actor first expressed his gratitude to the audience who watched the film. "In our storytelling world, you can't control box office results -- but what I realised you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity," Johnson wrote.
The actor then thanked filmmaker Benny Safdie for his decision to cast him in the film as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. "It was my honour to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me. Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ."
Earlier this year, The Smashing Machine had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, in which it earned the Silver Lion for Best Director award for Safdie and a standing ovation. The film also stars Dawn Staples as Kerr's spouse, and it explores their relationship even as the latter has his ups and downs in the world of MMA.
