Can The Rock Win An Oscar?

The Rest Is Entertainment

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 - 59 minutes

With his performance in The Smash Machine is this The Rock’s big push for an Oscar?

Why on earth has MI6 joined Instagram?

Who deserves the credit for Warner Brothers’ sudden box office hot streak?

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has bulldozed his way from WWE to Hollywood megastar. But with The Smash Machine, an A24 production, is he finally angling for Academy recognition, or is this just another blockbuster in disguise?

MI6 is now on Instagram. James Bond may have Q, but does British intelligence really need Reels? Is this about public trust, recruitment… or just trying to look cool online?

At Warner Brothers, Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca were on the chopping block but after a patient strategy and a bold slate of films, they suddenly look like the studio’s saviours. What does this say about Hollywood risk-taking, storytelling, and the lost art of playing the long game?

Recommendations:
Both: Spooks (iPlayer)
Richard: Seascraper - Benjamin Wood (read)

Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com

The Rest Is Entertainment is proudly presented by Sky. Sky is home to award-winning shows such as The White Lotus, Gangs of London and The Last of Us. Requires relevant Sky TV and third party subscription(s). Broadband recommended min speed: 30 mbps. 18+. UK, CI, IoM only. To find out more and for full terms and conditions please visit Sky.com

For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude
Video Editor: Kieron Leslie, Charlie Rodwell, Adam Thornton, Harry Swan
Producer: Joey McCarthy
Senior Producer: Neil Fearn
Head of Content: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices