The Rock Makes an Art Film
Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
Dwayne Johnson’s attempt at an art movie. Austin Butler’s gritty New York thriller. Natasha Lynonne’s AI-infused debut film, Uncanny Valley.
Let’s go!
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Dwayne Johnson stars in Benny Safdie’s (dir: Uncut Gems) upcoming A24 film Smashing Machine, his first art-house film*.
When Johnson made his first on-screen film appearance, though, it was a bit of a joke.
He played the CGI-saturated Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns (2001). At the time, his busy wrestling schedule as a 10-time WWE world champion prevented the VFX team from capturing reference shots that would have made him look less cartoonish.
But when he returned for The Scorpion King (2002), he earned a record salary for a first-time leading man: $5.5 million.
While this ignited a career defined by massive salaries (he earned $124M between 2017-2018), he often played a facsimile of an action hero:
Fast & Furious franchise 5-X
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Hercules (2014)
San Andreas (2015)
His first well-received role with more character depth was in the HBO series Ballers (2015-2019), which saw room for introspection (monologue clip).
But Smashing Machine, is a different beast.
Johnson will play Mark Kerr, a mixed martial arts UFC champion. Kerr’s life was detailed in a 2002 documentary of the same name, which is raw, brutal, and beautiful.
Here’s the standout quote from Karr:
“Having twelve thousand people out there cheering for you. That’s orgasmic. That’s like high. You know? And it’s so raw because it’s just two people out there competing - competing in the most primitive form possible.”
Paired with Safdie’s unflinching portraiture, which recently transformed Adam Sandler into a nerve-grinding diamond hustler in Uncut Gems, it seems like this could be Dwayne Johnson’s moment to transform into a serious art-house actor.
Johnson’s experience in the world of wrestling should prime him for this exposé, whether it’s a singular indie or a crucible that forges a more profound career path for The Rock.
In theaters Oct 3rd.
For More:
A24’s Smashing Machine trailer. Johnson is barely recognizable.
2011 documentary on which the film is based trailer.
*Dwayne Johnson’s previous indie was messy. In Southland Tales (2006), he plays an amnesiac screenwriter, penning a script with a porn star (trailer).
THE INDUSTRY TLDR
Zach Cregger’s Weapons trailer from Warner Bros. is vivid suburban horror.
Netflix’s Axe-Slinging Slasher hits May 23rd, from R.L. Stine.
Jessica Alba plays a spy in The Mark, directed by Justin Chadwick.
Austin Butler stars in Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing in the first look photos.
Netflix’s Overcompensating adds Megan Fox and Bowen Yang.
Sam Elliott joins Taylor Sheridan’s Landman Season 2 on Paramount+.
Molly Manning Walker leads Un Certain Regard jury at Cannes.
A Better Man and Nepobaby win top prizes at Canneseries.
Andrew Karpen, founder of Bleecker Street, dies at 59.
Natasha Lyonne to direct AI-assisted debut Uncanny Valley with Brit Marling.
Magnolia picks up Folktales doc from Jesus Camp directors.
Stunt director Scott Rogers to direct apocalyptic thriller One Second After.
Roadside Attractions acquires Twinless starring Dylan O’Brien.
THE INDUSTRY NEWS
The meme title we all wanted: Lionsgate unveiled the trailer for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the latest in the hit franchise that grossed over $685M across its first two films. Jesse Eisenberg leads a mix of returning and new illusionists. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, it hits theaters November 14, 2025, ahead of Thanksgiving. I don't care who you are, a magician heist movie is just dumb dumb fun.
The screenwriter behind Lionsgate’s A Simple Favor, Jessica Sharzer, is set to direct and co-write an adaptation of She Started It, the debut thriller novel by Sian Gilbert. From Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company (Dumb Money) the story follows three once inseparable childhood friends, whose adult lives haven’t unfolded quite as they’d imagined. Casting for She Started It is currently underway.
Terrifying. Terrifying. Terrifying. Zach Cregger’s Weapons is pure psychological horror made manifest as a group of children disappear from a suburban neighborhood. Warner Bros. trailer.
Lionsgate Television Group has promoted Taylor du Pont to Head of Television Post-Production, overseeing the studio’s slate of scripted series like Apple TV+’s The Studio, ABC’s The Rookie, and many more. Pont is succeeding company veteran Bobby Williams after 23+ years with the studio.
Mini Tidbits:
Netflix brings '80s nostalgia soaked in blood in its latest Axe-slinging slasher, Fear Street: Prom Queen. Their fourth in partnership with Goosebumps creator RL Stine. Streaming May 23rd. Trailer here. Chernin Entertainment (New Girl, See) serves as the prod company.
John Lindley (DP: Pleasantville, The Core) is re-elected president of the International Cinematographers Guild. He previously held the position from 2020 to 2022.
The release date for CBS’s Einstein series has been pushed a year to 2026.
Renewals:
Netflix’s North of North (for Season 2).
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
Everyone wants a piece of Austin Butler.
Caught Stealing, the latest film from director Darren Aronofsky, has released some wild first-look images, featuring its versatile ensemble, led by Mr. Butler.
We have an actor spotlight featured article on Butler chock full of insane first look images: https://theindustry.co/p/austin-butler-stealing
Jessica Alba plays a spy. She will star in The Mark from director Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl).
Synopsis:
When a covert spy named Eden (Alba) pulls an unsuspecting single father into her mission, he’s mistaken for the world’s deadliest assassin. She uses the mix-up to expose a powerful network of corruption, while he tries to find a way back to his daughter.
Alba has not had top billing on a domestically released film since A24’s Barely Lethal (2015), which did $933K worldwide. But she shocked everyone with the top-most-watched streaming film last June with Trigger Warning (Netflix), which pulled in 46M hours viewed in 3 days.
Alba is still wildly popular from Fantastic Four and Sin City. Highland Film Group (Rust, Land of Bad) produces.
From horrible hook-ups to wild house parties, the college-set comedy Overcompensating (trailer) has added a number of guest stars to join in on the fun. From Prime Video, the semi-biographical series created by and starring Benito Skinner adds:
Megan Fox (Jennifer’s Body)
Lukas Gage (The White Lotus)
Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live)
From A24 and Jonah Hill’s Strong Baby (Mid90s), Overcompensating premieres on Prime May 15th.
Tidbits:
We all know that voice: Mythical cowboy Sam Elliott (Big Lebowski) joins Season 2 of Landman, Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ drama starring Billy Bob Thornton. Elliott’s role is under wraps, but he should just be cast in everything with even a twinge of cowboy diplomacy.
Dexter: Resurrection drops its first teaser trailer. Michael C. Hall picks up after the shocking finale of Dexter: New Blood. Only on Paramount+ with Showtime, the spinoff series will debut with two episodes on July 11th.
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2: After a successful first season, Hulu has released a new trailer for its ensemble cast mystery. This time, taking place in the snowy Australian Alps, Nicole Kidman reprises her role as the enigmatic Masha as she leads a stacked on a journey of healing… with ayahuasca. Premiering on Hulu May 21st.
The Jenna Ortega-led Netflix hit Wednesday adds Anthony Michael Hall (Reacher) to its cast. This casting marks a reunion between the legendary director Tim Burton and Hall, who worked together on Edward Scissorhands (1990). The role is undisclosed, but the much-anticipated second season will launch on August 6th and September 3rd.
Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom) will play a mystical healer in Pendulum, the feature directorial debut of Black Swan scribe Mark Heyman, produced by Darren Aronofsky. Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Phoebe Dynevor.
FESTIVALS
Cannes Un Certain Regard section has appointed its president: Molly Manning Walker (Dir: How to Have Sex).
Here is the jury:
Louise Courvoisier (Writer: Cannes Youth Prize 2024 Holy Cow)
Vanja Kaludjercic (Rotterdam Festival Director)
Roberto Minervini (Co-P: All We Imagine As Light)
Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (Argentinian actor)
Cannes Director’s Forgnight title Miroirs No.3 picks up international distribution in France and eight other territories. Directed by Christian Petzold (Barbara) and distributed by Metrograph in the US, it follows a young musician whose boyfriend tragically dies in a car crash.
Cannes Market additions:
Pretend I’m Not Here
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Sally Hawkins, and Martin Freeman
Dir: Simon Bird (Actor: The Inbetweeners).
International Sales Rep: Cornerstone
US Sales rep: CAA
Plus, a new film at the Cannes Market starring Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho). For all Cannes Market projects, click here: https://theindustry.co/p/cannes-market-2025
Canneseries Awards:
A Better Man, wins Best Series and Best Performance (Anders Baasmo). It centers on a Norwegian internet troll with misogynistic tendencies, whose identity is revealed. To avoid persecution, he must present as a woman, unexpectedly opening his eyes to gender bias. Great first look poster. Creator: Thomas Torjussen.
Nepobaby won the Best Screenplay and Best Special Interpretation awards for its ensemble cast. The series centers on a 25-year-old woman who discovers that she is the daughter of one of Norway's wealthiest shipping tycoons, who has recently passed away.
The world’s biggest doc festival, IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam), just announced its new artistic director, Isabel Arrate Fernandez. She will be taking over for Orwa Nyrabia, who was festival chief for seven years. With more than two decades with the festival, in her new role, Fernandez will bear the final responsibility for the creative direction and policy of the organization.
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
The loss of an indie film titan. Andrew Karpen, founder and CEO of Bleecker Street, has passed away at 59 from brain cancer.
During his time at Bleecker Street, he oversaw some of the most beautiful, bizarre, and humanistic indie films of the last decade:
Hard Truths (cover story)
Sasquatch Sunset (2024)
Logan Lucky (2017)
Paterson (2016)
Captain Fantastic (2016)
Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
Karpen kicked off his career at Miramax and worked at Focus Features from 2002-2013, moving from COO to President to co-CEO, overseeing Dallas Buyers Club, Brokeback Mountain, and Lost in Translation.
Our hearts go out to the entire Bleecker Street community.
Natasha Lyonne (Netflix’s Russian Doll) is obsessed with distorted realities. Her directorial debut film, Uncanny Valley, explores similar themes. Full details on her 1/2 AI film: https://theindustry.co/p/natasha-lyonnes-distorted-realities
Tidbits:
Focus Features re-releases Brokeback Mountain for the 20th Anniversary, in select theaters on Jun. 22nd. The film originally grossed $178M. Another romance re-release, Pride and Prejudice, has earned $5.5M in just its first ten days.
Veteran stunt coordinator Scott Rogers (John Wick 4, Tron: Ares) will direct One Second After, an apocalyptic thriller based on William R. Forstchen’s bestseller. Filming begins September in Bulgaria.
After its premiere at Tribeca, Call Her Alex, a doc on the podcaster Alex Cooper, will drop on Hulu on Jun. 10th.
Ben McKenzie's (Gotham) directorial debut, Everyone Is Lying To You For Money, premieres at SXSW London. The doc investigates cryptocurrency fraud, featuring interviews with Sam Bankman-Fried. McKenzie, interestingly, was originally an econ grad.
Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate have acquired Twinless, a Sundance Audience Award winner written, directed, and starring James Sweeney. The film opens Sept. 5 in U.S. theaters. It was one of our favorites at Sundance.
Charli XCX is diving deeper into acting, set to star in and produce Takashi Miike’s upcoming untitled film (his 103rd).
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Folktales (premiere: Sundance), the new doc from Jesus Camp filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. Artic Norway high schoolers and their unique bond with their sled dogs. Release: July 25.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Following an investment of $1 bn from Netflix for local productions in Mexico, the streamer unveiled the start of production on four new series, including one with Gael García Bernal. Full breakdown here: https://theindustry.co/p/netflix-mexico-1bn
The team behind Apple TV+’s stellar murder mystery series Bad Sisters is working on an English-language remake of their newest dramedy, Dead End (in competition: Cannes Series). It follows a man with an eating disorder that oddly makes him a potentially tasty aid to police. A potential American version hasn’t been confirmed but is in the works.
At a Tokyo showcase, Netflix unveiled its 2025 Asia-Pacific film slate, highlighting a surge in regional hits and growing global influence. New projects include zombie dramas, anime, romcoms, disaster films, and psychological thrillers from Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and India — underscoring Netflix’s recent pivot to showcase diverse, original filmmaking across Asia.
International Sales rep, Film Constellation behind TIFF-premiering Bonjour Tristesse (2024) starring Chloe Sevigny and Cannes Director’s Fortnight Eephus (2024) has been acquired by European Studio Vuelta Group. The result: Film Constellation and one of Vuelta’s menagerie of sales companies, German distributor Global Screen, will be combined into Global Constellation.
ON THIS DAY
1954. Jane Campion, born in Wellington, New Zealand
See you tomorrow!
Written by Gabriel Miller, Spencer Carter, and Madelyn Menapace.
Editor: Gabriel Miller.
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