Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is reflecting on one of the most disappointing moments of his acting career, admitting that missing out on a Best Actor Oscar nomination for The Smashing Machine still hurts—and continues to motivate him moving forward.
Looking back on the awards season months after the film’s release, Johnson acknowledged that he had hoped to earn the recognition. Although his performance as former MMA champion Mark Kerr received significant praise from critics, The Smashing Machine was largely overlooked in the major Oscar categories, securing only a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The film’s awards momentum slowed following an underwhelming box-office performance, despite opening to strong reviews and receiving an extended standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
Johnson did not try to hide his disappointment over the snub.
“It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar,” he told Esquire in a recent interview. “I realized 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.”
The Smashing Machine represented a significant shift from the blockbuster roles that helped turn Johnson into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Directed by Benny Safdie, the A24 drama chronicles the rise of MMA legend Mark Kerr while exploring his battle with addiction. The role challenged Johnson to step away from the larger-than-life image he built through professional wrestling, action films, and family-oriented blockbusters.
Several industry insiders pointed to a number of reasons for the film’s awards season struggles. While Johnson’s performance was widely praised for its depth and vulnerability, some awards analysts suggested that Academy voters have often been reluctant to fully embrace actors known primarily for action-heavy roles when they transition into prestige dramas.
Others questioned whether the film’s awards campaign resonated with voters, given Johnson’s longstanding ties to major studio franchises.
Despite the setback, Johnson appears determined to use the experience as motivation rather than dwell on the disappointment.
“But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, ‘Oh, that doesn’t matter,'” he said. “I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine… which is: Let’s go back to work.”
That next chapter is already taking shape. Johnson continues to pursue more dramatic projects and has teamed up with several of the industry’s most acclaimed filmmakers. Director Darren Aronofsky described his work in The Smashing Machine as “fearless,” while Martin Scorsese praised Johnson and the cast for venturing into “challenging and uncomfortable territory” that left a lasting impact.
His remarks come just months after he was named the recipient of the Entertainment Icon Award at the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors, recognizing a career that has successfully evolved from the wrestling ring to the big screen.
