Dwayne Johnson’s hopes of receiving an Oscar nomination took a step in the right direction Monday when it was announced that he’s been nominated for best actor in a drama for his role as UFC legend Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine.”
Johnson, whose Seven Bucks Productions was behind the making of “The Smashing Machine,” is up against five other actors in his category: Joel Edgerton (“Train Dreams”), Oscar Isaac (“Frankenstein”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners), Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”), and Jeremy Allen White (“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”).
The Golden Globes, which take place Jan. 11, are considered a prelude to the Oscars in February. Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes splits its best actor nominations into two categories: drama and comedy/musical.
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The best comedy/musical actor nominees are Lee Byung Hun (“No Other Choice”), Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), George Clooney (“Jay Kelly”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), and Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”). DiCaprio and Chalamet are two frontrunners to receive Oscar nominations for best actor, which would leave three more spots to fill.
Johnson’s co-star, Emily Blunt, who played the role of Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn Staples, in the film, was one of six nominees for best supporting actress.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Golden Globes 2026: Dwayne Johnson nominated for The Smashing Machine
