Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified heavyweight boxing champion, is gearing up for a rematch with Tyson Fury scheduled for October. However, before stepping into the ring, he will be making his acting debut alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine. In the film, Usyk will portray PRIDE FC icon Igor Vovchanchyn, known for his memorable victory over Mark Kerr in 1999, a result that was later overturned. Vovchanchyn made a significant impact in the PRIDE world, facing formidable opponents in the heavyweight division.
The movie also features Emily Blunt as Kerr’s former spouse, Dawn Staples, and Ryan Bader as UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. The Smashing Machine draws inspiration from a 2002 documentary that delves into Kerr’s battle with substance abuse and his efforts to reignite his career in Japan.
Production for the film is currently in progress, with a planned release date of 2025.
