Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson addressed his political ambitions on the season premiere of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. Asked about a future presidential campaign, he responded simply: “We’ll see.” Johnson appeared on the program to promote his new film, The Smashing Machine.
His comments followed years of speculation fueled by polls showing public support for the idea of his candidacy. When pressed about running for office, he admitted being moved by the public’s interest. “It’s wild, man. I’m always honored when people ask that. I love what I do. I love storytelling. But yeah… we’ll see,” he said.
The focus of the podcast was the A24 drama The Smashing Machine, where Johnson portrays MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The project demanded a complete reinvention of his physical presence and performance style.
To step into the role, Johnson gained 30 pounds, used prosthetics, and adjusted his voice. He described the work as the most grueling challenge of his career. “This transition was, it was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done,” he affirmed.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. Johnson revealed he cried after witnessing the audience’s reaction.