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Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie, and Emily Blunt reveal the awkward moment that led to ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie, and Emily Blunt reveal the awkward moment that led to ‘The Smashing Machine’

At a glance, it makes sense why Dwayne Johnson would want to make The Smashing Machine. A biographical drama about UFC fighter Mark Kerr, the new film from writer/director Benny Safdie explores the highs and lows in the ring and beyond it. But it wasn’t Safdie, the celebrated co-helmer of Uncut Gems, that came to Johnson. It was the other way around. And yet the movie almost didn’t happen, except for an awkward moment Safdie shared with his Oppenheimer co-star Emily Blunt.

How did all of this lead to a hard-hitting drama that has critics praising Johnson’s dramatic chops? Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko spoke with Johnson, Safdie, and Blunt during a virtual junket, and learned how one vulnerable question and a missing sweater played an unexpected role in The Smashing Machine coming to life.

Considering the intensity of MMA fighting, Johnson felt the energy from Uncut Gems would be a good fit for Kerr’s story. So, they met in 2019 to talk about it, and Safdie was into it. To show his enthusiasm, Safdie found a replica of a Nautica yellow sweater that Kerr famously wore, and he sent it with a handwritten note to Johnson. And he never heard back. “COVID happened,” Johnson quipped, adding, “I never got the note or the sweater. I thought he ghosted me!”

Cut to the production of Oppenheimer, when Blunt says Safdie asked, “‘You’re friends with Dwayne right?… Can you ask if he ever got the sweater?”

The Smashing Machine is now in theaters.

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#Dwayne #Johnson #Benny #Safdie #Emily #Blunt #reveal #awkward #moment #led #Smashing #Machine

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Monday, April 20, 2026:

Across

All-caps reply to a spammy political text

Number of seasons that “Seinfeld” and “The Office” each ran

Wild party, informally

Swedish furniture giant

Long-lasting salon treatment

Down

Chinese zodiac animal

Chinese zodiac animal

Hour following midnight

The “p” of m.p.h.

Tombstone letters

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Mini Crossword.

#NYT #Mini #crossword #answers #hints #April">NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 20, 2026
                                                            The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
        
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        SEE ALSO:
        
            Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
            
        
    

        SEE ALSO:
        
            How to play Pips, the newest NYT game
            
        
    
Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Monday, April 20, 2026:AcrossAll-caps reply to a spammy political textNumber of seasons that “Seinfeld” and “The Office” each ranWild party, informallySwedish furniture giantLong-lasting salon treatmentDownChinese zodiac animalChinese zodiac animalHour following midnightThe “p” of m.p.h.Tombstone lettersIf you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Mini Crossword.

                    
                                            
                            
    
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                    Gaming
                    Mini Crossword
            

                        
                                    #NYT #Mini #crossword #answers #hints #April

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Monday, April 20, 2026:

Across

All-caps reply to a spammy political text

Number of seasons that “Seinfeld” and “The Office” each ran

Wild party, informally

Swedish furniture giant

Long-lasting salon treatment

Down

Chinese zodiac animal

Chinese zodiac animal

Hour following midnight

The “p” of m.p.h.

Tombstone letters

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Mini Crossword.

#NYT #Mini #crossword #answers #hints #April">NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 20, 2026

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Monday, April 20, 2026:

Across

All-caps reply to a spammy political text

Number of seasons that “Seinfeld” and “The Office” each ran

Wild party, informally

Swedish furniture giant

Long-lasting salon treatment

Down

Chinese zodiac animal

Chinese zodiac animal

Hour following midnight

The “p” of m.p.h.

Tombstone letters

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Mini Crossword.

#NYT #Mini #crossword #answers #hints #April

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