While that recognition never arrived, the actor made clear that the experience has only fueled his ambition moving forward.
Dwayne Johnson Says Oscar Recognition Was a Real Goal
After spending decades as one of the industry’s most reliable box office draws, Johnson took a markedly different path with “The Smashing Machine,” Benny Safdie’s 2025 biographical drama about former MMA champion Mark Kerr.
The role earned some of the strongest reviews of his career and led to a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, sparking awards season buzz that many believed could carry into the Oscars. Looking back on that campaign, Johnson admitted he had been hoping for more. “It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar,” he told Esquire.
Rather than dismissing the disappointment, the actor said the prospect of Academy recognition mattered to him from the start. “It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn’t,” Johnson said. “But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, ‘Oh, that doesn’t matter.’ I always thought it mattered.”
The film itself represented a major departure from Johnson’s usual blockbuster fare. Released by A24 after premiering at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion, “The Smashing Machine” followed Kerr’s rise in mixed martial arts alongside his struggles with addiction and personal turmoil.
Johnson starred opposite Emily Blunt, with the pair portraying the complicated relationship at the center of Kerr’s story. Despite strong reviews, the picture struggled commercially and finished its theatrical run with just over $21 million worldwide against a reported $50 million budget.
Still, Johnson suggested the experience left a lasting impact. “It has lit a fire in my spine, which is: Let’s go back to work,” he said, signaling that prestige projects remain firmly on his radar. The actor’s upcoming slate includes Disney’s live-action “Moana,” arriving in July, and “Jumanji: Open World,” which is scheduled to close out the year, but his latest comments indicate that his pursuit of another awards caliber role is far from over.