‘It has lit a fire in my spine’: Dwayne Johnson reacts to Oscars snub for ‘The Smashing Machine’

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has reacted to his recent snub at the Oscars for ‘The Smashing Machine’. In a recent interview, Johnson noted that his performance in ‘The Smashing Machine’ was overlooked by the Academy.

“It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar. I realised 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 had happened. But it didn’t. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, Oh, that doesn’t matter. I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: Let’s go back to work,” the actor said, as quoted by Deadline.

In the film, Dwayne Johnson was seen playing Mark Kerr, tracing his rise to UFC greatness in the 90s — the time when he developed an addiction to painkillers. The film also featured Emily Blunt.

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Although both Johnson and Blunt were snubbed at the Oscars, their film performed well in the awards circuit, having earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama. The film also earned the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival, but struggled at the box office, with just $10 million in domestic earnings on a $50 million budget, according to Variety.

‘The Smashing Machine’ also received high praise from industry colleagues and legends like Christopher Nolan. According to Variety, Nolan, while speaking on ‘The Director’s Cut’ podcast with the film’s director Benny Safdie, described Johnson’s portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as “heartbreaking” and “incredible.”

“I think it’s an incredible performance. I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or in most other years,” he said.

On the work front, Johnson is set to reunite with director Benny Safdie on the upcoming film ‘Lizard Music’. (ANI)