Christopher Nolan Praises Dwayne Johnson, Says ‘Smashing Machine’ Will Be ‘Understood More Over Time’: ‘I Don’t Think You’ll See a Better Performance This Year or Most Other Years’

Dwayne Johnson’s best actor Oscar campaign for “The Smashing Machine” is getting a surprise boost from none other than Christopher Nolan, who recently appeared on “The Director’s Cut” podcast for an interview with “Smashing Machine” director Benny Safdie. The “Oppenheimer” Oscar winner showered Johnson with praise for his performance as Mma fighter Mark Kerr, which Nolan called “heartbreaking.”

“I think it’s an incredible performance,” Nolan added. “I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or most other years.”

Nolan and Safdie have a history together as Nolan directed the actor-filmmaker in “Oppenheimer,” which also featured “The Smashing Machine” star Emily Blunt in an Oscar-nominated supporting role. Safdie met Blunt on the “Oppenheimer” set.

“I heard a rumor that when you were supposed to be learning your lines on my set, you were actually canvassing people to be in your movie,” Nolan quipped to Safdie.