The Rock has been featured on WWE programming on the road to WrestleMania, but his acting career will likely force him to step away from the company in the near future.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that A24’s The Smashing Machine is currently slated to film from May 1 through August 1. As a result, The Rock would likely be unable to do anything physical for WWE during this period of time. The film is set to shoot in Los Angeles, New Mexico, Tokyo, and Vancouver.
The Rock previously announced that he would be playing Mark Kerr in the project in November 2019. However, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His production company, Seven Bucks Productions, is producing the film.
The Smashing Machine is an adaptation of the documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr. Kerr was a decorated UFC and PRIDE fighter, and he was a former NCAA Division I Champion, among other accolades.
WWE reportedly wants The Rock to wrestle at one of their Saudi Arabia events this year. Filming for The Smashing Machine would overlap with the reported May date for the company’s next event in Saudi Arabia.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
