Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 30, 2025 · Entertainment

Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson: A Stylish Arrival in Venice for The Smashing Machine Premiere

Emily Blunt, 42, cut an elegant figure in a black co-ord as she arrived in Venice for the 82nd Film Festival on Saturday

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt Sizzle on the Red Carpet in Venice

The 82nd Film Festival in Venice is always a hotbed of glamour and excitement, but this year's event has taken it to a whole new level with the arrival of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his co-star Emily Blunt. The British actress, looking stunning in a sleek black co-ord, was joined by her The Smashing Machine co-star Dwayne, who has been training for months to get into shape for the role.

The film, which is based on John Hyams's 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, tells the true story of UFC great Mark Kerr and his struggles with substance abuse. Dwayne, who will be playing the lead role, has undergone a major transformation to embody the part, wearing a dark wig and facial prosthetics to make him look like Kerr's twin.

The British actress was joined by her The Smashing Machine co-star Dwayne Johnson, 53, ahead of their film premiere on Sunday

The trailer for the film, released earlier this week, shows Dwayne as Kerr sitting in a doctor's office waiting room, sporting noticeable welts around his eyes. In a surprising soft and calm voice, he says to a woman there with a young boy, "Probably looking at my eyes." The conversation quickly takes a dark turn, revealing the violent world of professional fighting.

But it's not just Dwayne who has been working hard on this project. Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's then-wife Dawn, has also undergone an intense training regimen to prepare for her role. In an interview with our sources, she revealed that she had to learn how to box and do martial arts stunts in order to get into character.

The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of The Smashing Machine on October 3rd. But what's even more exciting is the romance brewing between Dwayne and Emily off-screen. Sources close to the couple have revealed that they've become good friends since working together on Disney's Jungle Cruise, and have even signed on for a sequel.

The American hunk flexed his huge muscles in a crochet blue shirt, teamed with white linen trousers

But don't expect them to stop at just one romantic comedy. The two stars are also set to team up for an action hero film called Ball and Chain, which promises to be an adrenaline-fueled ride. And with A24, the same distributor behind Oscar-winning films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight, on board, we can expect big things from this dynamic duo.

As they boarded a water taxi from the airport, Dwayne couldn't help but flash his signature smile for the cameras. "I'm so excited to be here in Venice," he gushed. "The city is breathtaking, and I feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing film festival."

Emily, meanwhile, looked every inch the Hollywood starlet as she sashayed into the festival. Her stylish Prada bag and chic Celine sunglasses were the perfect accessories for her semi-sheer two-piece co-ord.

Emily carried a stylish Prada bag and wore chic Celine sunglasses to compliment her semi-sheer two-piece

But it's not just the fashionistas who are taking note – Dwayne's fans are going wild over his transformation in The Smashing Machine trailer. "Whoever did the prosthetics and makeup for this movie is getting an Oscar," wrote one enthusiastic fan on social media. "I hear The Rock kind of, but I don't see him at all. Sheesh that's (fire emoji)!"

With their combined box office draw and undeniable chemistry, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are the perfect pairing for any film. And with The Smashing Machine hitting theaters in just a few weeks, we can expect big things from this talented duo.

The Verdict:

The Smashing Machine, which releases October 3, is based on John Hyams's 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which also captured Kerr's substance abuse, 1999 hospitalization, and rehab stint on top of his overall career

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt bring their A-game to Venice as they promote their latest film, The Smashing Machine. With its intense action sequences and heart-wrenching drama, this movie promises to be an unforgettable ride. And with these two stars at the helm, we can expect nothing but excellence from start to finish.

The Quote:

"It's one of the greatest honours of my career to be a part of this project," wrote ring announcer Ryan Ventura on social media. "October 3rd couldn't come fast enough!" We couldn't agree more, Ryan!

Dwayne has had five months of training since he signed on to produce and star in The Smashing Machine, which marks the solo feature directorial debut of three-time Independent Spirit Award-winning filmmaker Benny Safdie

The Buzz:

  • Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have signed on for a sequel to Disney's Jungle Cruise.
  • The two stars are set to team up again for an action hero film called Ball and Chain.
  • A24 is distributing The Smashing Machine, the same distributor behind Oscar-winning films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight.

The Reaction:

Fans are going wild over Dwayne Johnson's transformation in The Smashing Machine trailer. "Now this is the Actor ROCK we want❤️ Oscars 2026," predicted one fan on social media. With their combined box office draw and undeniable chemistry, Dwayne and Emily are the perfect pairing for any film.

The Photos:

  • Emily Blunt looked stunning in a sleek black co-ord as she arrived at the Venice Film Festival.
  • Dwayne Johnson flashed his signature smile for the cameras as he boarded a water taxi from the airport.
  • The trailer for The Smashing Machine shows Dwayne as Mark Kerr, sporting facial prosthetics and a dark wig to embody the part.

The Videos:

  • Watch the official trailer for The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
  • See Dwayne's transformation into Mark Kerr in this exclusive behind-the-scenes clip.