Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was first known as a professional wrestler before transitioning into acting. In this stage of his career, he has become one of the highest-paid actors of all time, contributing to numerous huge blockbusters. The majority of his work includes action films, like the Fast and Furious movies, or goofier comedies, like The Tooth Fairy and The Game Plan. He has also even ventured into voice acting with his part in Moana, reprising his role as Maui in the sequel last year. He will also play the character in Disney’s live-action remake.

More recently, however, it seems that The Rock is transitioning into more serious work. In particular, Johnson is breaking through into drama by playing real-life UFC champion Mark Kerr in the Benny Safdie film The Smashing Machine. The film may be in his wheelhouse due to his wrestling background, but nonetheless will push Johnson beyond his comfort zone. The actor was also recently cast in the A24 psychological thriller Breakthrough, which could help his Oscar future.

Darren Aronofsky Directing Breakthrough Increases Dwayne Johnson’s Oscar Chances

The Director Has Been Behind Other Oscar Movies

Breakthrough has a lot going for it when it comes to its Academy Awards chances. One of the best points in its favor is the involvement of director Darren Aronofsky. Behind projects such as Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan, Aronofsky is an esteemed director who has done quite well with ᴀssisting Oscar-nominated performances. Ellen Burstyn was nominated for her work in Requiem for a Dream, as were Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler. Natalie Portman even won Best Actress for her performance in the director’s psychological thriller Black Swan.

Aronofsky has also had more recent success with The Whale. The film received two acting nominations and saw Brendan Fraser win Best Actor. Fraser is similar to Johnson in that he was not an actor that was historically ᴀssociated with higher-caliber, Oscar-contending films previously. The Whale was his first nomination, as Breakthrough would be for Johnson. Fraser’s success story shows that Aronofsky can elevate unexpected performances to Oscar success, and he did so quite recently. The director could repeat this with Johnson.

A24’s Involvement In Breakthrough Helps Dwayne Johnson’s Oscar Chances Too

A24 Has Done Well At The Academy Awards

Another point in Johnson’s favor for a Breakthrough nomination is A24’s involvement with the project. The independent producer has become increasingly ᴀssociated with critically acclaimed films that end up nominated for Oscars, such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Zone of Interest. This includes nominations in the acting categories. In fact, Adrian Brody won Best Actor this year for A24’s 2024 film The Brutalist. Fraser was also connected with A24 for The Whale, showing how Aronofsky has already succeeded in ᴀssisting a Best Actor win from an A24 movie.

Breakthrough Could Be Dwayne Johnson’s Real Oscar Contender After The Smashing Machine

The Smashing Machine Will Be The First Stepping Stone

Johnson’s role in Breakthrough will come after the release of The Smashing Machine. It is certainly possible that the movie could earn him an Oscar nomination, especially given that it is a biopic, and it is written and directed by a respected talent. However, as Johnson’s first foray into serious drama, The Smashing Machine could be a harder sell for a Best Actor nomination. Sports-based movies are also hit or miss at the Academy Awards (as evidenced by the complete snubbing of last year’s Challengers).

That said, The Smashing Machine could be a critical part of what could become Johnson’s Oscar arc. This first movie, which is also ᴀssociated with A24, could be what gets people to take the actor more seriously. It might take Breakthrough, which is directed by a more established talent, to get Johnson an Oscar nomination. Of course, these awards will be contingent upon the quality of his performances. However, given his A-list status and the power behind Breakthrough, his Oscar arc seems very possible.