Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt showcase ‘fast friendship’ ahead of film release

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt recently opened up about their “fast friendship” ahead of the release of The Smashing Machine.

The Jungle Cruise duo, known for their roles as Frank Wolff and Lily Houghton, reflected on their bond while working together in the sports drama.

During an exclusive conversation at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 8, Blunt shared, “We just became very fast friends, like an immediate secret language, which I think you feel with certain people that you work with. 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. 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.”

The Red Notice star also praised his co-star, calling her one of the “greatest actors of our time.”

“I also want to give Emily her flowers too. She is one of the greatest actors of our time – of all time. And also one of my best friends,” Johnson said. “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. We could not have done that without this love and trust and vulnerability that we have. I want to thank you, because you are the greatest.”

This conversation follows the duo’s appearance at the premiere of The Smashing Machine at the Venice International Film Festival on Monday, September 1.

For the unversed, Benny Safdie’s directorial is slated to release on Friday, October 3.