Oscar Season Kickoff: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (“The Smashing Machine”); Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”)

Oscar season of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast kicks off with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson discussing his lead role in Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine,” including the emotional toll of going to dark places and the physical transformation that nearly broke him. Also: “One Battle After Another” newcomer Chase Infiniti talks about working alongside superstars in the new Paul Thomas Anderson film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices