Johnson didn't downplay the significance of the snub. "It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar," he said to Esquire in a recent interview. "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." The Smashing Machine marked a major departure from the blockbuster image that made Johnson one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Directed by Benny Safdie, the A24 drama follows Kerr's rise in mixed martial arts and his struggles with addiction. The role required Johnson to leave behind the larger-than-life persona that made him famous through wrestling, action franchises, and family-friendly hits. Industry observers pointed to several factors behind the film's Oscar disappointment.…