Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt say their friendship clicked instantly when they first met on the set of Jungle Cruise—a bond that has continued into their latest collaboration, The Smashing Machine, which premiered Monday, Sept. 8, at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The two actors appeared together during an In Conversation with… panel at TIFF, where they opened up about working side by side and the personal connection they formed off camera.

“An Immediate Secret Language”

Blunt explained that their chemistry developed almost immediately.

“We just became very fast friends, like an immediate secret language, which I think you feel with certain people that you work with,” she said.

She recalled filming in Hawaii during Jungle Cruise in 2021, when she and Johnson first spent extended time together.

“We just talked and shared our souls. And I was just really taken by, I guess, how different he was from what I had imagined,” Blunt told the audience.

Johnson’s Praise for Blunt

For Johnson, the admiration is mutual. He described Blunt as both a gifted collaborator and a true friend.

“She is one of the greatest actors of our time, of all time,” Johnson said, noting her ability to bring depth and humanity to every role.

Blunt went on to describe Johnson as “gentle, contemplative, and kind,” qualities that contrasted with his tough on-screen persona.

“He was so gentle and quite interior and sort of contemplative and kind, just easy. Like, so lovely to be around, funny and quick, all these qualities,” she added.

Reuniting on The Smashing Machine

The pair’s reunion in The Smashing Machine marks a return to working together after Jungle Cruise. The new film, which premiered at TIFF, gave them another opportunity to strengthen their creative partnership—one built not only on professional respect but also on genuine friendship.

At the TIFF panel, Johnson also took a moment to publicly celebrate Blunt.

“I also want to give Emily her flowers too,” he said. “She is one of the greatest actors of our time — of all time. And also one of my best friends.”

Johnson reflected on the foundation of their collaboration, explaining that their performances required a deep level of emotional connection.

“In order to go to the place we were going to go, you have to have love, and then you have to have trust. And the love and the trust then allow for vulnerability,” he said. “We could not have done that without this love and trust and vulnerability that we have.”

The actor concluded his tribute with heartfelt gratitude:

“I want to thank you, because you are the greatest.”

The Smashing Machine

Johnson’s latest project, The Smashing Machine, is a biopic that chronicles the life and career of Mark Kerr, an MMA and UFC legend. Johnson portrays Kerr, whose rise as one of the sport’s early stars was marked not only by professional triumph but also by personal turmoil, including a painful struggle with addiction to painkillers.

The film also explores Kerr’s relationship with his then-wife, Dawn, played by Blunt, offering audiences an intimate look at the complexities of their marriage during the highs and lows of his career.

The movie made its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 1, where Johnson and Blunt received an extraordinary reception. Their performances moved the audience to a 15-minute standing ovation, with Johnson visibly emotional as he tearfully applauded the response.

The Smashing Machine was directed and written by Benny Safdie, best known for Good Time and Uncut Gems. The project marks Safdie’s debut as a solo director. Johnson and Safdie have already announced plans to collaborate again on another film, Lizard Music.

The film is scheduled to open in theaters on Oct. 3.