It wasn’t long ago that the suggestion of Best Actor Oscars glory going the way of Dwayne Johnson would’ve raised more than a few eyebrows. Now, thanks to the impressive festival debut of the former WWE star’s latest movie, The Smashing Machine, Johnson feels like a sure bet for at least a nomination. Directed by Benny Safdie, the movie is set in the early days of the now world-famous UFC, and follows the rise and fall of Johnson‘s MMA pioneer Mark Kerr.

Starring alongside Johnson in The Smashing Machine is Emily Blunt, who has also received plenty of praise for her supporting performance. Before this latest effort, the two had starred together in a film much better suited to Johnson‘s usual wheelhouse: Jungle Cruise. Similar to Disney‘s blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and based on the popular ride at Disney parks, Jungle Cruise sadly failed to find any sort of success, falling to poor critical and box office reception. However, with the likelihood that The Smashing Machine is to prove a triumph in both categories, could a return to Jungle Cruise be on the cards for Johnson and Blunt after all?

This was a question posed to the California-born actor in an interview available to view in the video below, with Johnson teasing, albeit with a knowing smile, that a sequel could be on the cards. After laughing at the suggestion that this means they are closer to the Jungle Cruise sequel, Johnson replied, “You know what? I think that’s what it means. Yes.” Johnson said, “We had so much fun,” while making the Disney movie, with that fun perhaps not over just yet. Given that the film generated just $210 million from a reported $200 million budget, sequel chances for Jungle Cruise seemed unlikely, although reports from several years ago suggested a sequel was in development at the time. Still, updates have been sparse since.

Critics Are in Awe of Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Performance

Given the strong suggestion of Johnson‘s involvement in the Best Actor race ahead of the upcoming Academy Awards in March 2026, it’s not surprising to learn that critics have delivered nigh-on unanimous gushing praise of his performance in The Smashing Machine. As Collider‘s Anna Miller said in her July 10 review for Collider, she noted of Johnson‘s powerful performance by saying, “Johnson’s performance of Kerr is perhaps more subdued than many may expect, but this is a good thing for both the film and its protagonist.”

via Collider