When wrestler Mark Kerr met Dwayne Johnson in real life for the first time, it must have been like looking into a mirror at his younger self - as The Rock seems to have somehow managed to morph into him.
The 6ft 5in actor, 52, has just teamed up with the legendary sportsman he is about to play in The Smashing Machine to finish up his training camp, which he reckons was the perfect way to 'complete' his preparation for the role.
He will star in the new biographical drama, based on Kerr's glittering career in the ring and cage, alongside the likes of Emily Blunt, Lyndsey Gavin and recently-titled undisputed heavyweight champion, Olesksandr Usyk.
Advert
The Smashing Machine, which is set to release sometime next year, is directed by director Benny Safdie, who is best known for his work on the likes of Uncut Gems and Good Time.
Before beginning his training camp last month, Johnson told fans the film will centre on the life of Kerr, who he described as 'the heavyweight godfather of MMA and UFC' and 'at one time was the greatest fighter on the planet'.
In a video uploaded to Instagram, the WWE star said: "He was an absolute animal and a beast.
"He struggled with addiction, he struggled with success, he struggled with loss, he struggled with love.
"A lot of struggles in his life. But he lived, and is still living, the most extraordinary dream-come-true kind of life and it is an honour for me to play him.
]"I want to make sure that I wake up every morning and that I run to this opportunity to become Mark Kerr," he concluded.
The Rock said he would be working with UFC 'legends and coaches' to ensure that he 'does right by Mark' as well as the MMA and UFC 'community and culture' - which is a good job really, as he's got some pretty big shoes to fill.
Ohio-born Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner and a PRIDE FC competitor, as well as a gold medal winner at the Wrestling World Cup.
So it was only right that the former athlete, 55, joined Johnson in the gym to show him how it was done.
But there's another added benefit to The Rock taking on this role - the fact that he looks the absolute double of Kerr in his younger years in the first promotional picture to be released of the movie.
The former wrestling champ and his wife, fitness consulter Franci Alberding, seem to agree too, as they both reposted the jaw dropping image onto their Instagram stories alongside the caption: "So wild."
The snap shows Johnson sat in the corner of the ring - but gone are his trademark tattoos and bald head.
It is thought that the actor is sporting a wig and prosthetics to help transform himself into Kerr, and by god, it looks like the makeup team need a raise. Talk about understanding the assignment.
Johnson gushed about their time training together in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday (21 May), while revealing that filming for The Smashing Machine was beginning this week.
He wrote: "My training camp became complete when the man himself, Mark Kerr @markkerrtsm trained with us.
"He’s still a f*cking machine, that can close the distance with scary speed and power. I’ll forever be grateful to the core for our his invaluable knowledge he’s been gracious enough to pass onto me and especially for the brotherhood we share.
"Locking up with Mark, and feeling his press and power - it’s no surprise he was an NCAA, UFC & VALE TUDO Heavyweight Champion. That’s the A side to success. The B side tells a whole other story."
Topics: Sport, TV and Film, Dwayne Johnson, Celebrity
Olivia Burke