The MMA-fighter-turned-actor talks Benny Safdie, unlikely opportunities, and finding his on-screen courage in The Smashing Machine.
The sport-to-screen career pathway has become increasingly familiar in recent years; the emblem of such being Dwayne Johnson, who, after years of wrestling (pardon the pun) with critical peaks and valleys, is seeing his ‘The Rock’ sobriquet float away as a distant memory.
His augmented reputation is in large thanks to The Smashing Machine. Benny Safdie’s surprisingly understated and emotionally intelligent biopic drama follows Johnson as mixed-martial arts champion Mark Kerr through addiction trauma and sporting highs and lows. With his stirring, unrecognisable turn as Kerr, Johnson has undoubtedly shortened his Best Actor odds in the forthcoming awards season.
Whilst Johnson is very much the film’s kernel, and previous Oscar nominee Emily Blunt gives an evocative turn as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples, there’s also a surprise package in store – rather a large one. Ryan Bader is no stranger to being on screen of course – usually found marshalling the MMA ring as one of the fiercest fighters in the heavyweight division. But this new foray into acting is something fresh and exciting for the 42-year-old.
It was “a random opportunity that came to us very quickly and we jumped aboard,” he tells Man About Town. But had Bader considered it as a career move before Safdie opened the door? “I have never acted a day in my life,” he laughs. “I have not taken any acting classes or even thought about it prior to this opportunity.”
Knowing this makes his performance all the more impressive. Bader offers a quiet authority as Mark Coleman, a friend, coach and competitor of Johnson’s Kerr. He is often the voice of reason, a calming presence in the battle with inner chaos that his counterpart is inflicted by throughout the picture. His chemistry with Johnson is effortless, he plays Coleman with subtlety and sophistication, and could easily be mistaken for a seasoned thespian.
With the role launching Bader into a new world of possibility, he speaks with Man About Town: reflecting on his prosperous MMA tenure, working with Benny Safdie, and the most challenging component of acting.
How did you first get involved in the world of MMA?
I was attending Arizona State University on a scholarship for wrestling. I was a 2x All American and 3x Pac 10 champion. Mixed martial arts and the UFC were becoming extremely popular at this time and we were all big fans, especially of the wrestlers competing in the UFC. We had a couple guys on the team that wanted to make a go at it right when they graduated, while I was on the fence. I wanted to go to law school and get a year of real world work experience under my belt before pursuing a law career. I remember commuting to my job and thinking that I miss competing and everything that comes with that. I told myself I was going to go into this MMA gym and just do something different to keep in shape. One thing led to another and I was going to try one fight and see if it was for me. I went out in my first fight and dominated and realised that I missed competing and needed that in my life. It went from, “I’ll try one fight,” to 40 something fights later.
How do you reflect on your decorated career in the sport?
I am pretty bad at taking the time to smell the roses. When I do look back, I see it as a crazy journey from fighting in very small shows in Mexico and an equestrian centre in a small town in Arizona to fighting in front of 70,000 fans in Sweden and around the world. I became a multiple time champion and a multiple weight class champion. It is a testament to all the hard work and sacrifices that were made along the way. It is also not only the fight itself but I reflect fondly on the things surrounding the fight such as having friends and family travel around the world to attend, and to be able to gather together around these fights. A ton of great memories have been made with them because of this sport that otherwise would have never had happened.
Where did the nickname ‘Darth’ come from?
Darth Vader, Darth Bader. So you obviously can see the play on words there. You can’t really give yourself your own nickname, it just doesn’t usually work like that. When I was wrestling at ASU some of the staff would randomly call me Darth. Then when I went into my first MMA gym the coaches there, with no prior knowledge, started calling me Darth as well, so I never really had a choice.
Congratulations on your debut acting role in The Smashing Machine. Where did your involvement in the project stem from?
Benny Safdie, the director/writer, was trying to get a hold of me and reaching out to people to get my contact info. I got a text from Benny but I really didn’t know who he was. I knew his work, specifically Uncut Gems, but didn’t place the name. So to be honest I blew him off for a week or two just not knowing who he was and what this Benny character wanted. Finally we connected on the phone and turned it into a video call where he explained who he was and what he was doing. I was familiar with the documentary and the fighters involved in that project so after forty minutes on the video call with him he asked if I was interested. I said yes and asked what the next steps were. Benny sent me a script and I did a Zoom audition with him a week later. A couple weeks after that I received a text basically saying see you in Vancouver for filming in three weeks. It was a whirlwind couple of weeks for sure.
What did you know about your character, Mark Coleman, before stepping into the role? How did you relate to him?
I have met Coleman a couple times in passing throughout our careers. I also watched these guys when I was younger as they came from the same place I did. Amateur wrestlers trying their hand in the MMA world. I knew his story, I knew what his drive was. Then speaking to him before filming and getting more personal information from him and what was going through his head at that time in his life was very interesting. I realised we are very similar people.
How was it working with Dwayne and Emily? What were the key things you took away from your time acting alongside them?
They were both beyond amazing. They made all of us feel so comfortable right away and that was the biggest thing for me. I observed a lot on set, I would watch how they both prepare before a scene – whether big or small. Sometimes I would ask questions about what’s going through their heads before a big scene. I think the biggest thing I learned being around them and watching them work is to embrace the nerves, the fear, and channel that. Put yourself into that character, how would you feel, react as if this was actually happening to you or you were really in this situation. Also just put yourself out there. That was easy to do when you’re surrounded by great people.
Benny Safdie is one of the best young directors around – what impressed you most about him?
For lack of a better word, Benny is a sweetheart of a guy. He makes you feel so comfortable that you forget you are making a huge movie. I believe he has a talent in getting the best out of people as he puts you at ease every day. The biggest thing that impressed me the most, beyond his genius, is his drive, commitment, and work ethic. He directed, wrote, and was even editing while we were filming. I have no idea when Benny slept or even got some rest.
Did you get involved with the awards circuit? How was that experience?
I am very new to this and it was very funny sometimes. They would say Bader your sides are in your trailer, and I’m thinking, what is where? I had no idea what the terminology was for the first couple weeks until I got the hang of it. So as far as the awards circuit? I am not sure! I went to the Toronto International Film Festival premiere, the LA premiere, and a couple different cities for marketing and press. The whole “Red Carpet” thing was all new to me, and I had an absolute blast throughout the whole process.
For you, what was the most challenging aspect of the process of making The Smashing Machine?
Benny Safdie is all about realism in film. Being brand new to this, I was trying to “act” which meant I was overacting. I just had no clue. Benny helped me before we got to Vancouver on just being authentic and real. Another very challenging part was just handling nerves before my first big scene. I am used to walking out in front of 50k fans in basically just shorts but this was a whole different animal. I used the same process I do before big fights though, and once I got through my first scene I was way more comfortable. Benny also helped out big time with his laidback demeanor.
Is acting something you’re hoping to do more of moving forward?
I was talking to Emily Blunt on set one day and she asked how I like this acting thing. I told her I really am enjoying it. I like to do scary things like fight other trained humans in a locked cage/ring. Acting gives me those same feelings. You have a ton of different emotions running through your body before a big scene, then when you go in and do well, it’s very addicting. I now have some representation and am going to pursue this a bit and see where it goes!
