Emily Bluntstarred alongsideDwayne Johnsonin Disney’sJungle Cruiseadaptation, and now the acclaimed actress is getting ready to join the call sheet with him again. Blunt is in talks to star opposite Johnson in A24’sThe Smashing Machine. The film will tell the true story of a mixed martial artist and will be directed byBennie Safdie.
The Smashing Machinewill depict the life ofMark Kerr,a heavyweight MMA fighter and two-time UFC champion. Kerr endured a battle with drug addiction and painkillers throughout his career, and the film is expected to feature this addiction as one of its main aspects. If the deal closes, Blunt will portrayDawn Staples,Kerr’s wife. The title of the film refers to Kerr’s well-publicized nickname in the ring. The film has become somewhat of a passion project for Johnson, who himself first rose to stardomas the professional wrestlerThe Rock in the WWE. Johnson firstannounced back in 2019that he was teaming up with Safdie to tell Kerr’s story.
With Blunt coming onboard, Safie now has a pair of bonafide stars to help tell Kerr’s story. Safdie, also known for his acting chops and collaborations with hisbrotherJoshua Safdie,will helmThe Smashing Machinefrom a self-written script. TheA24 filmwill also be produced by Safdie for his Out for the Count banner alongside Johnson andDany Garcia’sSeven Bucks Productions.Eli BushandDavid Koplanare additional producers.
Blunt and Johnson’s Previous On-Screen Romance
This won’t be the first time that Blunt and Johnson have shared the screen, as they previously teamed up for the aforementionedJungle Cruise.The film, which also starredJack WhitehallandJessie Plemons,was based on the Disney ride of the same name. Though it was sort of contrary to type for Blunt, who is mostly known for her dramatic work,Jungle Cruisewasn’t her first high-octane project. She previously starred alongsideTom Cruisein Warner Bros.‘Edge of Tomorrow,and the studioreportedly has a sequelin early development.
And after their turns in the wrestling ring, Blunt and Johnson are likely going back to the jungle, as asequel toJungle Cruiseis also in developmentat Disney. Both Blunt and Johnson were reported to be returning to their roles for the sequel, though no other details have been confirmed. ProducerBeau Flynnpreviouslyspoke to CollideraboutJungle Cruise 2:
“Dwayne and Emily have created such an incredible bond. Their chemistry is extraordinary in the first movie and I know now they know these characters so intimately … so I have a feeling like those two will ensure that a ‘Jungle Cruise 2’ gets made at some point.”
No release window forThe Smashing Machinehas been set. Stay tuned to Collider for more information.
