Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says he's “honored” to join the cast of “Star Wars: Episode I: The Last Jedi,” which stars undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. Smashing Machine.
The biopic, set for release in late 2024, will tell the story of mixed martial arts legend Mark Carr, nicknamed “The Smashing Machine,” and will be played by Johnson.
Usyk, who became the undisputed heavyweight champion in May, joined the film's cast as former mixed martial artist Igor Vovchanchyn.
Vovchanchyn, who Kerr fought in 1999 and 2000, is a Ukrainian like Usyk, who once reigned as the undisputed cruiserweight champion after beating Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia to secure his dominance in the heavyweight division.
“Champion, please don't break my jaw,” Johnson joked on Instagram on Monday (June 3). “Honored to have the newly undefeated World Heavyweight Champion @usykaa joining the cast of 'The Smashing Machine.'”
“Usyk will play the role of Igor Vovchanchyn, the real-life Ukrainian mixed martial arts legend who fought some legendary fights during the sport's extreme open-weight era, including a historic battle with “Smashing Machine” Mark Carr.”
“I have a lot of respect for Oleksandr Usyk. [it] It will be an honor for me to share the ring with him next week when he breaks my jaw. I look forward to working with you, brother.”
Kerr, a 55-year-old American, won the UFC heavyweight championship tournament twice, in July and October 1997.
He retired from mixed martial arts in 2009, having lost 12 of his last 15 bouts, including a rematch with Bob Chanchyn, who out-fought Carr on points after the initial no-contest.
Usyk is scheduled to rematch Fury in December.
