Dwayne Johnson is stepping outside his usual blockbuster lane for a dramatic new role as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine." The film had its world premiere Monday at the Venice Film Festival, drawing strong early reactions and Oscar speculation.

Johnson, long associated with action and comedy films, said before the premiere that he had been searching for a project that would push him further as an actor.

"I have for a long time wanted this," Johnson said. "The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do."

Why Dwayne Johnson wanted the role

The actor said the decision was not about proving anything to Hollywood but proving something to himself. Johnson credited his co-star Emily Blunt, along with director Benny Safdie, with encouraging him to take the leap.

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