Dwayne Johnson Regrets Not Getting an Oscar Nomination for The Smashing Machine

Dwayne Johnson has finally admitted what fans have been whispering for months: he deeply regrets not landing an Oscar nomination for The Smashing Machine. In a candid new interview with Esquire, the former WWE superstar and Hollywood heavyweight dropped the language many expected but never heard until now. “It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar,” Johnson said without mincing words.

The statement comes nearly five months after the Academy announced its 2026 nominations, when The Smashing Machine earned a single Oscar slot for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, leaving Johnson on the outside of the Best Actor conversation. 

The Smashing Machine‘s Oscar Snub Hit Dwayne Johnson Hard

The Smashing Machine/ Credits: A24

The silence from Johnson on the Oscar miss lasted until now. In the Esquire interview, released June 11, 2026, he finally broke his silence, admitting he had hoped for his first Oscar nomination and that the rejection left a mark. But he also framed the snub as motivation, telling Esquire:

I wish it happened. But it didn’t. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, Oh, that doesn’t matter. I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: Let’s go back to work.

This is not just about awards. It’s about what Johnson has been trying to prove for years: that he can be more than the muscular icon in action movies. He wanted The Smashing Machine to be the moment critics and the Academy finally recognized him as a serious actor. And when that didn’t happen, it hit him hard.

The emotional arc of The Smashing Machine mirrors Johnson’s own journey with the film. In the film, Dwayne Johnson delivers one of his most transformative performances, portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr, a real-life wrestler known for his brutal fighting style and deeply complicated personal struggles with addiction and mental health. Johnson immersed himself in the man’s physical and emotional reality. 

According to reports from Esquire, at the Venice Film Festival, the world premiere audience on the Lido chanted, cheered, and screamed for 15 minutes during a standing ovation that left Johnson sobbing uncontrollably. After such a reception, not getting a nomination felt more heartbreaking for Johnson.

What are your thoughts on Rock missing the nomination? Did he deserve it? Let us know in the comments below.

The Smashing Machine is available to stream on HBO Max.