Imagine transforming one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood into a legendary MMA fighter—complete with a new brow bone, a prosthetic eyelid, and a full-body tattoo overhaul. Sounds impossible, right? But that’s exactly what happened when Dwayne Johnson stepped into the ring as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t just about looking the part—it was about capturing the essence of a man whose physicality and emotional complexity defined his legacy. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it better to create a near-perfect replica of Kerr, or to subtly evoke his spirit? Let’s dive into the jaw-dropping transformation that sparked this debate.
In Benny Safdie’s sports biopic, The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson takes on the role of Mark Kerr, a fighter whose story is as brutal as it is poignant. To bring this character to life, prosthetic makeup legend Kazu Hiro (The Darkest Hour, Maestro) faced a critical decision: Should he craft a meticulous likeness of Kerr or focus on capturing his raw, unfiltered essence? Hiro, known for his transformative work on Gary Oldman and Charlize Theron, chose the latter—but with a twist. He sculpted two versions: one hyper-realistic and another more understated. The subtler approach won out, but it still required an astonishing 22 prosthetic pieces, a wig, and a team of nearly 20 makeup artists working four hours daily.
Why the subtlety? Hiro explains, ‘During filming, practicality matters. With fewer prosthetics, we could focus on the details that truly mattered—like eye swelling, a broken nose, and a missing tooth.’ But don’t be fooled—this wasn’t a walk in the park. Each fight scene brought its own challenges, from sweat-induced adhesive failures to real-time swelling effects. Hiro even had to engineer a silicone bald cap that could be shaved on camera, complete with individually punched hair strands. Talk about attention to detail!
What truly motivated Hiro was Kerr’s duality: a ferocious fighter with a surprisingly soft-spoken demeanor. ‘He was aggressive in the ring but spoke almost like a baby,’ Hiro notes. Johnson’s dedication to matching Kerr’s physique was undeniable, but it was Hiro’s artistry that bridged the gap between the two men. And let’s not forget the tattoos—Johnson’s existing ink had to be covered before adding Kerr’s distinctive designs.
But here’s the real kicker: Sweat became the unexpected villain. Johnson’s heavy perspiration during fight scenes required Hiro to experiment with six or seven different adhesives to keep the prosthetics in place. ‘We had to understand the chemistry of his sweat,’ Hiro reveals. ‘Where it pooled, where it weakened the adhesive—it was a constant battle.’ One particularly memorable mishap? The tip of Johnson’s prosthetic nose kept falling off, requiring repeated repairs.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In transforming an actor like Dwayne Johnson, should the focus be on achieving an exact physical replica, or is it more important to capture the character’s soul? Hiro’s choice to prioritize essence over perfection is bold—and it’s sure to spark debate among fans and critics alike. What do you think? Did he make the right call, or would you have preferred a more literal interpretation?
For a deeper dive into the making of The Smashing Machine and other award contenders, check out THR’s behind-the-scenes stories at THR.com/behindthescreen. And if you’re as fascinated by this process as we are, consider subscribing to The Hollywood Reporter magazine for more exclusive insights. This story first appeared in their December issue—you won’t want to miss it!
