Johnson and Blunt Nominated for Golden Globes

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have earned Golden Globe nominations for their performances in the A24 biopic "The Smashing Machine," announced on Monday, December 8, positioning the film as a contender in the 2026 awards season despite its modest box office returns.

Johnson received a nod in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama category for portraying former UFC and MMA heavyweight champion Mark Kerr. Blunt was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role as Kerr's girlfriend, Dawn Staples. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 11, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Released in October, "The Smashing Machine" chronicles Kerr's rise and struggles in the world of mixed martial arts. Directed by Benny Safdie, who previously won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival, the film marked a departure for Johnson from his typical action-comedy fare. To prepare for the role, Johnson gained 30 pounds of muscle and delved into Kerr's personal challenges, including addiction and professional pressures. While the movie generated buzz for its dramatic intensity and received strong critical praise,...