Dwayne Johnson prosthetic transformation for The Smashing Machine film. [Image Source: YIMG]
Oscar-winning prosthetics expert Hiro revealed that crafting the cauliflower ear for Dwayne Johnson’s character in The Smashing Machine was surprisingly the simplest part of the transformation. The film, featuring Johnson as real-life MMA icon Mark Kerr, required him to sit through a detailed two-hour makeup session that applied cauliflower ears, a custom browbone appliance, and other prosthetics while also concealing his tattoos. This careful process was essential to authentically portray Kerr’s distinctive appearance.
Key Actors and Production Details of The Smashing Machine
The movie also stars Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife Dawn Staples, alongside Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and Oleksandr Usyk. Directed by Ben Safdie in his solo debut after collaborating with his brother Josh Safdie, the project draws attention for its realistic depiction of Kerr’s story and the demanding transformations required for the cast.
Understanding the Significance of Cauliflower Ear in MMA
The cauliflower ear, also called wrestler’s ear, is a common effect of repeated trauma in combat sports. Prosthetics artist Hiro described the condition:
“Damage happens inside, and it starts to swell,”
Hiro explained.
“Depending on how often it’s damaged, it will change the shape of the ear. There’s a build up of fluid and the tissue accumulates and that shape is created.”
He noted that Kerr had a prominent cauliflower ear on his right side and a smaller one on the left, leading him to craft prosthetic pieces that accurately fit over Johnson’s ears.
Challenges in Replicating Mark Kerr’s Facial Features
While the cauliflower ear was the easiest to create, Hiro pointed out that designing the pronounced brow bone for Johnson was the most demanding aspect of the makeup.
Image of: Dwayne Johnson
“The first thing you notice on Dwayne is how big his eyes are, and how gentle he looks. Mark is the opposite. The heavy brow bone affects how his eyes look,”
Hiro said. To retain Johnson’s ability to emote naturally during scenes, special care was taken since eyelids are sensitive.
“Any pressure affects how an actor expresses themselves,”
he added, emphasizing that Dwayne needed freedom to move.
Innovative Prosthetic Techniques for Natural Movement
To address this, Hiro built a thin chamber attached to Johnson’s eyelid, measuring just one to two millimeters thick, which blended seamlessly with his skin.
“It’s 1 to 2 millimeters and that was glued to him. And it moves with him, almost like natural skin,”
he explained. The process involved advanced facial scanning, capturing Johnson’s face with eyes open, half closed, and fully closed, to sculpt a hybrid mold that matched all expressions perfectly.
Hair Removal Scene Required Specialized Prosthetic Coordination
In a key scene, Johnson’s character visits a barbershop to shave his hair. Up until then, he wore a wig, so Hiro collaborated closely with the barber to ensure a realistic shave.
“Silicon skin doesn’t behave like human skin, so I was teaching him how to move the clippers,”
Hiro shared, illustrating the care necessary to maintain authenticity when working with prosthetic materials under physical interaction.
Realistic Injection Scene Hides Complex Device Under Prosthetics
Another difficult effect involved a scene where Johnson injects drugs into his arm’s veins. Hiro developed a special prosthetic that concealed chambers filled with blood and saline, allowing Johnson to simulate injections convincingly.
“That was tricky because he pushes it in and blood is mixed into the syringe. So, there was a chamber with blood it in, and when he pulls the needle out, the syringe fills with blood,”
Hiro said, adding,
“That’s always a tricky one, any makeup involving blood or liquid.”
The Importance of the Transformation for Authentic Storytelling
This painstaking prosthetic transformation was vital in capturing Mark Kerr’s physical reality and his intense journey in the MMA world. By transforming Johnson’s gentle features into Kerr’s battle-worn visage, the filmmakers heightened the story’s credibility and emotional impact. The expertise of Hiro, supported by the skilled cast and direction from Safdie, ensures that the film delivers a nuanced portrayal that honors Kerr’s lived experience and the brutal sport he dominated.
