In the film directed by Benny Safdie, the story of UFC figure Mark Kerr is brought to life, with Dwayne Johnson taking on the challenging role. Central to this transformation is the extensive use of Dwayne Johnson prosthetic makeup, which helped him closely resemble the real-life fighter. The process required hours of daily preparation, where about 22 prosthetic pieces were meticulously applied to achieve the character’s distinctive features and physical injuries.
The lead on this transformation was Kazu Hiro, an acclaimed makeup artist known for Oscar-winning work on films including ‘Bombshell’ and ‘Darkest Hour.’ Hiro and his team took great care to replicate Kerr’s unique physical traits, from his signature Cauliflower ear condition to the defining structure of his face, adapting the design to fit Johnson’s different facial anatomy while maintaining authenticity.
Overcoming Challenges in Recreating Mark Kerr’s Facial Features
One of the most demanding tasks was recreating Kerr’s pronounced browline, an essential feature that dramatically alters the character’s expression. Hiro noted that Johnson’s large, gentle eyes contrast starkly with Kerr’s intense gaze, shaped by a heavy brow bone. This difference made it difficult to create prosthetics that looked natural without limiting Johnson’s eyelid movement or hindering his performance on screen.
To solve this, Hiro developed a thin, about two-millimeter prosthetic chamber that was bonded over Johnson’s eyelids. This design cleverly mimicked the motion of real skin, allowing Johnson to act freely while retaining the rugged look of Kerr. Additional prosthetics, such as a fake broken tooth cap created specifically for the hospital scene, were integrated with special effects to enhance realism.
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.
— Kazu Hiro, Makeup Artist
Maintaining Authenticity Throughout Physically Demanding Scenes
Since Mark Kerr’s character is frequently engaged in brutal fights, the makeup team had to repeatedly apply prosthetics to simulate injuries like swollen cheeks and bruised noses. This complex continuity required careful management during filming. Furthermore, covering Johnson’s heavily tattooed arms and back posed another layer of difficulty, especially due to the physical intensity of the role.
Hiro described how the makeup often needed urgent touch-ups because sweat and movement caused the prosthetics to loosen. The constant physical exertion during fight scenes made the maintenance of these pieces relentless.
His (Johnson’s) nose would start to peel off, and that’s something that can’t be avoided because people sweat, especially when he’s fighting or working out. Whatever glue we used, sweat would push out and start to slide off. It was constant maintenance.
— Kazu Hiro, Makeup Artist
In addition to bruises and cuts, the team designed realistic fake veins for scenes involving drug injections. Using a mixture of blood and saline, these prosthetic veins enhanced the visual impact of such intense moments.
Hair and Wig Work That Heightened the Overall Illusion
The role also demanded attention to hairstyling, which contributed significantly to the likeness between Johnson and Kerr. Hiro emphasized that the hairline and head shape were integral to achieving a believable appearance. Johnson wore a custom wig for most of the shoot to replicate Kerr’s hairstyle accurately.
One particularly challenging scene involved Johnson’s character getting a haircut. Because the wig was made from silicone and did not behave like natural skin, Hiro collaborated closely with the barber to instruct the precise use of clippers. This careful coordination ensured the wig’s edges remained intact and that no visual inconsistencies shattered the viewer’s immersion.
Hairline and the shape of the head also bring the design of a likeness to it.
— Kazu Hiro, Makeup Artist
The Impact of Creative Detail on Dwayne Johnson’s Performance
This intricate prosthetic and makeup work was crucial in allowing Dwayne Johnson to fully inhabit the role of Mark Kerr. The team’s dedication to creating an authentic physical presence supported the emotional and physical demands of Johnson’s performance, helping audiences connect with the character’s struggles and triumphs.
With the careful balance of accurate prosthetics, seamless makeup, and hair styling, the film showcases not only the story of a fighter’s rise and fall but also the substantial effort behind bringing that story to life on screen through technical artistry.
As filming progresses, this level of detailed craftsmanship highlights how Dwayne Johnson prosthetic makeup remains vital in transforming actors into convincing real-life characters, setting a high standard for biographical portrayals in sports dramas.
