WASHINGTON — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says taking on the roll of UFC champion Mark Kerr in his latest film, “The Smashing Machine,” was an “honor,” even after the movie posted disappointing box office numbers in its opening weekend. 

The A24 drama, starring Johnson as the MMA legend, marked the lowest opening in the actor’s career. Despite a favorable reception at the Venice Film Festival, including a 15-minute standing ovation and a best director prize for Benny Safdie, the film opened at a modest $6 million. A24 spent about $50 million producing the movie, per Variety. 

“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine,'” Johnson wrote in a post on Instagram. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity.” 

“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me,” he added. “Truth is this film has changed my life.”

Oscar buzz has swirled around the actor best known for big-budget action films and comedies, starring in franchises like “The Fast and the Furious” and “Jumanji.” 

“I have for a long time wanted this,” Johnson said last month before the premiere. “The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do. I’ve been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had and make the films that I have, but there was just this voice inside of me, this little voice, like what if I can do more.”

Emily Blunt also starred in the film, portraying Kerr’s wife. 

Kerr is a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner and MMA fighter who retired in 2009. Known as “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr also struggled with addiction to painkillers and opioids, overdosing twice. “The Smashing Machine” takes place between the years 1997 and 2000, a tumultuous time in both Kerr’s professional and personal life.

“The Smashing Machine” is playing now in theaters nationwide. 

The Associated Press contributed.