Dwayne Johnson has admitted he was disappointed to be overlooked for an Oscar nomination for his role in 'The Smashing Machine', but says the snub has motivated him to deliver another award-worthy performance. The actor, who played UFC fighter Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's A24 film, told Esquire that missing out on a nomination 'lit a fire in my spine'.
'It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar,' Johnson said. 'I realised very quickly that it's a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you're even having these conversations. And it's exciting! It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn't. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, Oh, that doesn't matter. I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: Let's go back to work.'
In 'The Smashing Machine', Johnson portrays Kerr's rise to UFC greatness in the 1990s, which nearly cost him his life due to an addiction to painkillers. The film, also starring Emily Blunt and UFC's Ryan Bader, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it received a 15.5-minute ovation and won the Silver Lion.
Although Johnson and Blunt were snubbed at the Oscars, they earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Johnson is now set to re-team with Safdie on the upcoming film 'Lizard Music'.
