Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About Missing Out on Oscar Nomination for 'The Smashing Machine'

Dwayne Johnson is opening up about his feelings surrounding the Oscar snub for his critically acclaimed performance in A24's The Smashing Machine.

The 54-year-old actor garnered awards season attention in 2025 for the Benny Safdie-directed film, yet ultimately did not secure a Best Actor nomination at this year's Academy Awards ceremony.

"It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar," Johnson told Esquire in an interview released recently. "I realized very quickly that it's a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you're even having these conversations. And it's exciting! It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn't."

The Jumanji star emphasized the significance he places on Academy recognition, noting there was no moment where he dismissed its importance. "I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine…which is: Let's go back to work," he explained.

Though the Oscar nomination eluded him, Johnson did earn a Best Actor nomination at the Golden Globes for the role.

Meanwhile, the actor has several substantial ventures on the horizon, including a Martin Scorsese-directed crime drama set in Hawaii featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and The Smashing Machine co-star Emily Blunt.