Dwayne Johnson Says ‘Smashing Machine’ Oscars Snub ‘Lit A Fire’ to Deliver More Performances

Dwayne Johnson said the Academy Awards snub for his role in A24’s “Smashing Machine” left him “let down,” but also became a motivating force for future work. In remarks reported by Deadline, the actor described the Oscar omission as something that “lit a fire” in his performance drive, after he said he had “poured his heart” into the part.

Johnson stars in “Smashing Machine,” a film directed by Benny Safdie and produced for A24. The movie centers on Johnson’s portrayal of Mark Kerr, a UFC fighter, and Johnson has framed the role as an effort that required significant personal investment to translate the character onscreen, according to Deadline’s account.

Deadline reported that Johnson’s comments came after the Academy Awards overlooked his performance. Johnson did not state in the report what specific outcome he had expected, but he characterized the lack of recognition as an emotional setback that nonetheless energized him to continue focusing on acting work.

The comments place Johnson’s response in the wider context of how major awards campaigns can affect studios’ promotional cycles, talent negotiations, and release messaging. Even when a film has prominent backing, an Oscars-era omission can reshape how a project is marketed to theaters, streaming partners, and audiences, particularly when the lead actor is already widely associated with large-scale mainstream entertainment.

Johnson’s remarks also highlight the attention that biographical and performance-heavy acting roles can draw when they intersect with mainstream star power. Safdie-directed A24 projects have often been positioned as character and craft-driven films, and Johnson’s willingness to publicly discuss the emotional impact of being overlooked underscores how awards visibility can matter to marquee performers.

While Johnson’s quote described his reaction as both disappointing and productive, Deadline’s report focused on his personal framing of the moment rather than on any claim about the Academy’s internal processes. The story did not include allegations, formal complaints, or requests for review, and it did not identify any specific nomination category that Johnson said he believed was likely.

As of the publication date of the Deadline report, Johnson had not announced a specific project tied directly to the comments, but the statements were presented as a broader motivation for his ongoing approach to acting. For “Smashing Machine,” the immediate next steps remain governed by standard industry timelines for post-awards commentary and continued promotion of the film’s cast and creative team.