Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on Training with Oleksandr Usyk & the Sweet Secret to Set Success
Dwayne Johnson, the globally recognized actor and former wrestling superstar, recently shared engaging insights into his experience working with professional boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk on the upcoming sports drama, The smashing machine. The film delves into the life of former UFC heavyweight champion Mark kerr, and Johnson’s planning for the role brought him face-to-face with one of the most formidable athletes of our time.
A Respectful Sparring Partner
Johnson described his initial encounter with Usyk as a truly humbling experience. He recounted the intensity of their first training session, detailing a full-on fight scene where he instantly recognized Usyk’s exceptional skill. “The first time I locked up with Usyk, we went through the whole fight scene,” Johnson explained to talkSPORT. “I knew then, when I locked up with him and I felt his embrace, this is a bad dude.”
It’s not every day you feel intimidated while training with an Olympic gold medalist and unified heavyweight champion. johnson admitted to being initially deceived by Usyk’s demeanor, but quickly realized the boxer’s power. “Usyk can be a little deceptive, just how he looks,” he said. “But when he locks up, that deception becomes reality as I’m like, ‘oh this is a bad guy.'”
Speed, Power, and a Touch of Sweetness
Johnson was particularly impressed by Usyk’s speed and athleticism. He noted the power radiating from the boxer’s legs and base, and the lightning-fast jabs during their sparring sessions. “You could feel it in his legs and in his base,and then we start sparring at the top of our fight,” Johnson shared. “Couple of jabs out there and he is so fast, and you know if one of these punches slips, I’m going to hospital!”
Though, behind the intense training and championship-level physique, Usyk apparently has a weakness for sweets.Co-star Emily Blunt revealed a humorous anecdote about Usyk’s fondness for cake on set.
* The production assistant discovered a unique bargaining chip.
* Usyk disliked the application of fake sweat for continuity.
* A simple offer of cake motivated him to cooperate.
“He wanted to eat [cake] all the time,” blunt told Variety, laughing.”the lovely PA was like ‘Alex, we need to get the fake sweat on you again’ and he hated the fake sweat. He was like ‘Why?’ as he didn’t understand continuity and she was like ‘If I get you some cake, will you do it?’ And he goes ‘yes’ and so they would get him some cake.”
Looking Ahead: A Return to Adventure
Beyond The Smashing Machine, Johnson and Blunt are eager to reunite for a sequel to their 2021 Disney adventure, Jungle Cruise. Disney confirmed plans for a sequel back in 2021, and both actors have expressed their enthusiasm for revisiting their characters.
“I feel like we gotta do something else now,” blunt stated. “I’m like, ‘What else?’ Call Disney. Get us back on that boat.”
johnson echoed her sentiment,emphasizing the fun they had during the original film. “We’re calling those guys tonight,” he said. “We had so much fun.”
ultimately, Johnson’s experience working with Usyk highlights the dedication and respect athletes have for one another, even across different disciplines. It also offers a charming glimpse into the lighter side of filmmaking, proving that even the most disciplined professionals can appreciate a well-deserved treat.
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