Dwayne Johnson’s Transformation into Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ Achieved Through Intricate Makeup and Prosthetics

In the latest cinematic offering, UFC legend Mark Kerr’s life takes center stage in ‘The Smashing Machine,’ directed by Benny Safdie. The film provides a raw and nuanced portrayal of Kerr’s journey, capturing both his relentless pursuit of martial arts excellence and the personal demons that threaten to derail him. Central to this narrative is Kerr’s battle with opioid addiction, which complicates his relationship with partner Dawn Staples and poses a significant barrier to his aspirations.

While Dwayne Johnson delivers a captivating performance, the expertise of the film’s creative team is equally paramount, particularly in realizing the physical transformation of the actor into the real-life fighter. Leading this effort is veteran makeup artist Kazu Hiro, whose intricate work involved the application of up to 22 prosthetic pieces daily, blending artistry and technical skill over a lengthy process that reportedly took between two to four hours per day.

Hiro, known for his award-winning contributions to films like ‘Bombshell’ and ‘Darkest Hour,’ provided insights into the challenges faced in bringing Mark Kerr’s likeness to life. Among Kerr’s distinctive features was the condition known as Cauliflower ear. The makeup team successfully created lifelike prosthetics to represent this iconic attribute, carefully studying the asymmetry between Kerr’s ears to ensure accuracy in their portrayal.

However, the transformation of Dwayne Johnson went beyond just physical mimicry; it also involved addressing more nuanced facial characteristics. Hiro remarked on the stark differences between Johnson and Kerr’s features, particularly the impact of Kerr’s pronounced brow bone on his overall appearance. To navigate this, the team devised a delicate prosthetic to simulate the brow bone while still allowing natural eyelid movement, thus preserving Johnson’s expression and acting capability.

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The challenges of the makeup process extended to scenes of physical altercations, which necessitated the continuous addition of swollen features like cheeks and bruised eyes to maintain visual continuity. Johnson’s tattoos also required diligent coverage, which was complicated by the physical nature of his performance. Sweat often hindered the adhesion of makeup, leading to ongoing maintenance throughout shoots to keep Johnson’s look intact.

One particularly poignant moment in the film depicts Kerr injecting drugs, showcasing the film’s commitment to authenticity. For this specific scene, the makeup team created intricate fake veins filled with a blood-saline mixture to realistically portray the injection, underscoring the devastation of addiction.

Hair styling also played a critical role in achieving the film’s authenticity. Hiro pointed out the importance of fitting wigs and hairstyles that matched Kerr’s real-life appearance. The filming of a haircut scene posed additional complexities, as the lead makeup artist worked closely with the barber to ensure that the wig and Johnson’s performance were flawlessly integrated.

Through meticulous attention to detail in makeup and prosthetics, ‘The Smashing Machine’ not only tells the story of Mark Kerr but also offers a testament to the innovative artistry involved in cinematic storytelling.