Benny Safdie: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Dwayne Johnson has insisted "you can't control box office results" after The Smashing Machine opening. The Hollywood megastar's new movie - which sees him play MMA legend Mark Kerr in the action packed biopic - pulled in just $5.9 million at the US box office over the weekend, making it the worst opening of The Rock's career.

Entertainment News / BANG Showbiz / October 5

Benny Safdie making Lizard Music for his kids

Benny Safdie is making Lizard Music for his children. The 39-year-old actor-and-director - who has two sons with wife Ava - is reteaming with his The Smashing Machine star Dwayne Johnson on the upcoming film and he took on the project because he wants to build on the messages shown in his biopic of UFC legend Mark Kerr in a family=friendly way.

Entertainment News / EssentiallySports / October 1

‘The Smashing Machine’ Director Details Why Dwayne Johnson Took a Real Punch in the Face

Dwayne Johnson isn’t just acting tough in The Smashing Machine. The film’s director, Benny Safdie, said on Logan Paul‘s podcast that one important fight sequence required Johnson to take a full hit from a professional fighter in order to convey the brutal reality of UFC fights.

Entertainment News / Nerdist / September 23

Review: 'The Smashing Machine' is hagiography hiding behind Dwayne Johnson's great performance

It’s hard to say writer-director Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine is bad. It’s certainly well-made. It also sounds amazing. Most importantly, it features a genuinely outstanding lead performance from Dwayne Johnson in what is probably his best and most interesting role ever.

Dwayne Johnson Says Becoming Mark Kerr Changed His Life

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson admits he wasn’t acting in one ‘The Smashing Machine’ scene after telling fighter to hit him

Dana White backs The Rock to win an Oscar for finally creating an MMA movie he actually likes

Entertainment News / Entertainment on ClutchPoints / September 22

Exclusive: The Smashing Machine’s Dwayne Johnson reveals how ‘scary’ Mark Kerr transformation ‘changed his life’

There is something to be said about taking risks, especially decades into your career, as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson did playing Mark Kerr in the new biopic about the MMA legend from Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine.

Entertainment News / Nerdist / September 9

THE SMASHING MACHINE Trailer: Transformed Dwayne Johnson Battles Himself

Jungle Cruise stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson are reuniting on screen. But while their latest movie together definitely won’t be appropriate for kids, it might be appropriate for Oscar voters.

Entertainment News / BoxingNews.com / September 3

Dwayne Johnson’s Portrayal Of Mark Kerr Receives Rave Reviews

Insiders have raved about Dwayne Johnson’s role in the new film ‘The Smashing Machine.’ In his new film, directed by Benny Safdie, Johnson undergoes change to portray UFC fighter Mark Kerr.

Entertainment News / Nerdist / May 15

Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is first film shot entirely with IMAX film cameras

One of the coolest aspects about cinema is the many ways that a film can be shot.

"Thunderbolts*" and "Sinners" show good word of mouth can still have value

Test Screenings Changed the Ending of THUNDERBOLTS*

'Superman' trailer emotionally devastates us as hero fights for thankless world

Entertainment News / Yardbarker

20 Robert Pattinson films everyone should see at least once

Robert Pattinson began his career as a Hollywood heartthrob, thanks to the success of the Twilight movies, but the British star has unexpectedly become one of the most impressive actors working in the industry today.

Entertainment News / Nerdist / March 14

THE ODYSSEY Film Adds SONS OF ANARCHY and WALKING DEAD Alum Ryan Hurst to Cast

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey film is continuing to expand its cast with some excellent actors. The latest to join the roster is Ryan Hurst, whom most people know from Sons of Anarchy.

Entertainment News / Bloody Elbow / February 24

Fighter played by The Rock in new movie beat Kurt Angle in wrestling match before UFC fame

Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ is set to release this year with the A24 distributed biopic seeing Dwayne Johnson play the role of Mark Kerr. Kerr

Entertainment News / Nerdist / February 19

First-Look at Matt Damon as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s Next Film

The first look for Christopher Nolan’s next hero is here. Matt Damon will star as Odysseus in Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, which is what Nerdist predicted!

Entertainment News / IndieWire / February 12

Andy Kaufman’s Comedic Legacy Is Captured by EPs Morgan Neville and Josh & Benny Safdie in ‘Thank You Very Much’ — Watch Trailer

Alex Braverman makes his feature directorial debut with the documentary that premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.

Entertainment News / Nerdist / February 5

Guessing Roles for Christopher Nolan’s THE ODYSSEY Cast: Who Plays Who in the Movie?

Christopher Nolan has made some pretty epic films, but his next movie will literally be one of the most famous epics in history. He’s taking a world-class cast around the globe to bring Homer’s The Odyssey to the screen.

Entertainment News / BANG Showbiz / January 30

Benny Safdie lands role in Sir Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Benny Safdie has joined the cast of Sir Christopher Nolan's movie 'The Odyssey'. The 38-year-old star will reunite with the acclaimed filmmaker after featuring in his 2023 historical epic 'Oppenheimer' as he boards Nolan's adaptation of Homer's poem – which follows Odysseus' journey home following the Trojan War.

Entertainment News / IndieWire / November 11

Benny Safdie Says Extras Didn’t Recognize Dwayne Johnson in Makeup on ‘The Smashing Machine’ Set

"I remember him walking around and you’d hear people saying, ‘When’s The Rock going to get here?,'" the director said of his MMA biopic for A24.

Entertainment News / IndieWire / August 21, 2024

Adam Sandler Confirms Benny Safdie Is in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ and Says That His Josh Safdie Baseball Film Is ‘Hopefully Going to Come Back’

Adam Sandler speaks to IndieWire at the New York City premiere of his latest Netflix comedy special, "Adam Sandler: Love You."

Entertainment News / TV Insider / August 12, 2024

‘Interview With the Vampire’ & ‘Hacks’ Win Big in 2024 Dorian TV Awards

Interview With the Vampire and Hacks are the big winners from the 2024 Dorian TV Awards, the official awards of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.

Entertainment News / Men's Journal / July 16, 2024

Timothée Chalamet to Star in Ping Pong Film by A24

Timothée Chalamet is set to star in a sports biopic about ping pong legend Marty Reisman. The film, called Marty Supreme, was announced in a tweet by A24, embedded below.

Entertainment News / IndieWire / May 31, 2024

The Curse’ Finale That Came Out of Nowhere: Benny Safdie Reveals All

Here's why the surreal ending was vital to the show and how it required months of careful planning.

Entertainment News / IndieWire / May 21, 2024

‘The Smashing Machine’ First Look: Dwayne Johnson Returns to His Wrestling Roots for Benny Safdie’s Biopic

Safdie's solo directorial debut for A24 centers on MMA legend Mark Kerr, portrayed by Johnson.

Entertainment News / TV Insider / February 28, 2024

Buddy Duress Dies: ‘Good Time’ & ‘Heaven Knows What’ Actor Was 38

Buddy Duress, an actor best known for starring opposite Robert Pattinson in the Safdie brothers 2017 film Good Time, has died. He was 38. The actor’s brother, Christopher Stathis, confirmed the passing with People on Tuesday, February 27, revealing Duress died of “cardiac arrest from a drug cocktail” in November 2023.

Entertainment News / IndieWire / February 26, 2024

Did Benny Safdie Attend the Independent Spirit Awards as His Character from ‘The Curse’?

It's totally possible that wasn’t a Safdie, but Dougie Schecter from “The Curse.”

Entertainment News / Rolling Stone / January 4, 2024

Benny Safdie Admits Split From Co-Directing Brother, Not Sure They’ll Reunite

Josh Safdie's planned Benny-less follow-up to Uncut Gems is also currently "on pause"

Entertainment News / Wrestling News / December 13, 2023

The Rock to portray a former UFC fighter in A24's movie directed by Benny Safdie

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has another Hollywood role lined up. On Wednesday, it was reported by The Hollywood Reporter that the former WWE star is slated to portray an MMA fighter in a drama that will come from A24, the same studio that made “The Iron Claw” film about the rise and fall of the Von Erich family.

Entertainment News / Rolling Stone / December 1, 2023