Dwayne Johnson hoped his passion project would leave the Academy Awards with some hardware, but that didnt happen Sunday night. Johnsons film The Smashing Machine, which tells the story of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, ultimately lost the only Oscar it was nominated for during the 2026 ceremony in Hollywood. The film had received a nomination in the Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling category thanks to the work done transforming Johnson into Kerr. The dramatic prosthetics and makeup were widely praised throughout the films release and helped the production earn recognition from the Academy. However, when the award was announced, the trophy went to Frankenstein instead. The team of Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey took home the Oscar, defeating the The Smashing Machine crew. The films nominated artists included Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin, and Bjoern Rehbein, whose work was responsible for Johnsons dramatic transformation into the UFC Hall of Famer. Earlier in the awards season, the project generated buzz for Johnsons performance and the films overall presentation. Some early predictions even suggested the movie might earn additional nominations, including a potential Best Actor nod for Johnson and recognition for co-star Emily Blunt. Those nominations ultimately never materialized when the final Academy Awards list was revealed. Still, Johnsons performance didnt go completely unnoticed during awards season. He previously earned a Best Actor nomination at the Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of Kerr. The film itself chronicles the turbulent life and career of Kerr, one of the most dominant heavyweight fighters of the early mixed martial arts era, while also examining his personal struggles outside the cage. Although the Oscar slipped away, the film remains widely discussed for Johnsons transformation and the ambitious attempt to tell Kerrs story on the big screen. For fans who missed it in theaters, The Smashing Machine is currently available to stream on HBO Max. Do you think The Smashing Machine should have taken home the Oscar for makeup and hairstyling, or did the Academy make the right call with Frankenstein? Let us know what you think and share your thoughts in the comments. G Add as a preferred source on Google
