Recently on the X platform (formerly Twitter), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson suddenly revealed a controversial opinion about the film project The Smashing Machine. The famous actor said that although he had played many heavy roles in his career, the role in The Smashing Machine was the “worst” because it did not bring any value to him, even made him feel empty and wasted many years of preparation.

This statement immediately caused a wave of fierce discussion. Previously, The Smashing Machine was expected by experts to be a turning point to help The Rock shed his “muscular hero” image to become a more profound actor. The film revolves around the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr – a legend with a brilliant career but full of personal tragedies, from injuries, addiction to mental crisis. Therefore, The Rock accepting this role is considered a big challenge but also opens up a golden opportunity for him to prove his acting ability.

However, The Rock himself frankly admitted that this film “did not bring value”. He wrote on X: “I used to believe this would be the role of a lifetime, but after many years of attachment, I realized it only left exhaustion. No halo, no liberation, just a void.”

Many fans were shocked to hear The Rock share this. One account commented: “Is he denying a project that millions of people are waiting for?” Meanwhile, others said that The Rock was bravely speaking the truth about the dark side of Hollywood – where many actors are forced to take on roles that they themselves do not find meaningful.

Another aspect that also caused controversy is the way The Rock compared The Smashing Machine to his previous roles. He had a resounding success with the image of Dom Toretto in Fast & Furious or the humorous role in Jumanji. Although considered commercial films, these roles at least brought joy and connection to global audiences. On the contrary, The Smashing Machine made him feel more lost than gained.

Film critics said that The Rock’s statement could affect the reputation of the film crew. An A-list star publicly declaring a role “terrible” and “worthless” is like a blow to the film right before or during the promotion. Some producers even worry that this statement could affect box office revenue if the audience starts to turn away.

However, there are also opinions that this could be a smart media strategy. In the entertainment world, causing controversy is sometimes the most powerful way to attract attention. When The Rock asserts that this is the “worst” role, the audience will be more curious to watch the film to judge for themselves whether it is true or not.

Whether it is a trick or sincere, it cannot be denied that Dwayne Johnson’s statement has sparked a fierce debate. Many people ask: is a superstar like The Rock losing his passion for art when he only cares about personal value rather than the emotional weight of the role?

Only one thing is certain – The Smashing Machine is no longer just a biopic about boxer Mark Kerr, but has become the center of controversy surrounding The Rock’s career and choices. And it is the audience who will decide whether this film is really “worthless” as he said or not.