Dwayne Johnson reacts to Smashing Machine’s box office flop with emotional statement

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.

In a statement on Instagram, he wrote: “From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine’.

“In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere.

“And I will always run to that opportunity.

“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me.

“Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”

The film had been projected to pull in between $8m and $15m, while the A24 movie had a $50m production budget.

Johnson is set to reunite with Smashing Machine director Benny Safdie, 39, on the actor and filmmaker’s upcoming movie Lizard Music, which is based on a novel by Daniel Pinkwater.

Safdie recently told Deadline: “[It is about] a kid who discovers an island of lizards that are sentient, and they play music, they have broadcast TV. And they want him to come and see them.

“And he teams up with the Chicken Man, who Dwayne plays, and they go on this adventure to find the land of the lizards.”

Meanwhile, WWE legend Johnson has spoken of how he is slimming down from Smashing Machine, and has been inspired by Clint Eastwood.

He told Variety: “I’ve been dieting. Happy to not be carrying all the weight.

“I feel good I’m able to tuck in my shirt now.

“I am slimming down for our movie. Lizard Music – can’t wait. I don’t look pregnant, so it’s all good.

“I’ll stay in this zone. This is for my next movie with Benny, Lizard Music, where I play a 75-year-old man.

“Think Clint Eastwood at 75. Sinewy muscles, he’s lean. But it feels good.”

The former wrestler feels “much better” since dropping several pounds for the movie.

He added: “I gained 30lbs for the role in The Smashing Machine, so it’s good to get it off.

“And I had to maintain it for live action Moana, so it’s seven months, man, 30lbs is a lot. That’s a lot. It weighs on you.

“But I feel good. I feel much better.”