Dwayne Johnson has addressed being passed over for an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's A24 drama The Smashing Machine, a role many critics have called the best work of his career.

Johnson's name was absent when Oscar nominations were announced in January, despite Golden Globe recognition for Best Actor and a strong festival run that included a 15.5 minute ovation at Venice, where Safdie took the Silver Lion. The film opened to a career worst $5.9 million domestically on its way to roughly $21 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's partner Dawn Staples was also left out at the Oscars, though she earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama.

It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar. ... I realized very quickly that it's a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you're even having these conversations. And it's exciting! It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn't. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, Oh, that doesn't matter. I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine... which is: Let's go back to work.

Johnson has repeatedly described The Smashing Machine as the hardest thing he has ever done. He is set to reunite with Safdie on Lizard Music, the director's next feature for United Artists.