The world of Hollywood friendships is often fleeting, but the bond between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is a force as formidable as The Rock himself. Their chemistry, which first crackled across the screen in Jungle Cruise, has clearly transcended their professional lives, forging a loyalty and admiration that one seldom sees. Now, the duo has reteamed for the critically anticipated dramatic film, The Smashing Machine, a project that pushes the boundaries of acting for Johnson and has provided a fresh opportunity for him to appreciate his friend and co-star's singular genius

Dwayne Johnson was effusive in his praise for Emily Blunt, discussing the rare qualities that set her apart

Dwayne Johnson recently appeared in the Oscar season of Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast for The Smashing Machine talk, where he spoke with immense admiration for Emily Blunt, calling her his "greatest inspiration" and emphasizing that it is not only her skill as an actor but also her humanity that makes her so "impactful." He agreed with the observation that "makes it look easy," so people do not fully realize the extent of her greatness. He said that he "will fight for Emily Blunt" and referred to her, “My real dog”.

The actor also shared a fascinating detail about the set design for their work with director Benny Safdie, where a house was "made from scratch on a sound stage" with running water and lights, specifically so the crew "could hide the cameras." Johnson stated that this allowed for an incredible degree of "freedom to just move" and for them to fully inhabit their characters in those hard scenes without the distraction of equipment. Furthermore, he discussed how this entire journey has addressed his doubts.

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After appreciating his beloved friend Emily Blunt, Johnson spoke openly about the profound experience of taking on the role and delving into dark places for the character.

Dwayne Johnson acknowledged that his role in The Smashing Machine, which recently received appreciation in the Venice Film Festival, felt like a creative breakthrough that had been brewing inside him, a desire to "do more" as an actor. He initially felt doubt when director Benny Safdie presented the opportunity, but Safdie's faith was key. Johnson described the director as the person who said, "Walk down this road with me," encouraging him to take a risk, with the assurance that he had Johnson's back through the challenging process.

Dwayne Johnson confirmed the movie is fundamentally about a man wrestling with his inner demons, not just the physical sport, which aligns with Benny Safdie's goal of depicting human vulnerability and real life. He was drawn to Mark Kerr as a walking contradiction, both a lethal fighter and a sweet, kind person. Johnson noted that in this realistic story, Kerr works hard, yet loses everything and barely survives, showcasing a raw, uncompromising narrative that is central to Safdie's vision.

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What are your views on Dwayne Johnson's word on Emily Blunt? Let us know in the comments below.