Hollywood action star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shocked fans worldwide after unveiling a dramatic 60-pound weight loss transformation at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on Monday, where he premiered his latest film The Smashing Machine alongside co-star Emily Blunt.
The 53-year-old former WWE champion, who typically tips the scales at around 300 pounds, appeared almost unrecognisable at approximately 240 pounds as he stepped onto the red carpet to promote the A24 biographical drama about UFC legend Mark Kerr. The film received a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation at its world premiere inside Venice’s Sala Grande, leaving Johnson, Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and Kerr himself visibly emotional.
Johnson’s striking physical transformation has dominated social media conversations, with fans dubbing him “The Pebble” rather than “The Rock” and speculating whether the actor had turned to popular weight-loss medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro. However, fitness experts and industry sources attribute the dramatic change to an intensive training regime and strict dietary overhaul designed to authentically portray the mixed martial arts pioneer.
“This transformation was something I was really hungry to do,” Johnson told reporters at the Venice press conference on 1 September. I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years and to make the films that I’ve made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, ‘Well, what if I could do more — I want to do more and what does that look like?’
The Smashing Machine marks a significant departure for Johnson, who has built his career on action blockbusters requiring his signature muscular physique. The film chronicles Kerr’s meteoric rise in the no-holds-barred era of 1990s MMA, his struggles with prescription drug addiction, and his tumultuous relationship with then-girlfriend Dawn Staples, portrayed by Emily Blunt.
Personal trainer Kunal Makwana, founder of KMAK Fitness, explained that Johnson’s transformation likely involved a carefully controlled calorie deficit combined with a shift from heavy strength training to more endurance-focused workouts. “To authentically portray an MMA fighter rather than a bodybuilder, The Rock would have needed to adopt high-intensity interval training and functional movements designed to burn fat whilst maintaining lean muscle,” Makwana stated.
Sources close to the production revealed that Johnson underwent extensive physical preparation beyond weight loss, including the daily application of 13 to 14 prosthetics during filming. The actor would spend three to four hours in the makeup chair each day, watching his famous features disappear beneath layers of carefully crafted prosthetics designed by renowned makeup artist Kazu Hiro.
I just sat in front of that mirror for three to four hours and watched it all change,” Johnson told Vanity Fair. “There were about 13 or 14 different prosthetics. Subtle, yet I think very impactful. By the time I got to set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it, from how he walked to how he talked and how he looked at life.
The transformation process reportedly began before filming commenced, with Johnson adopting a high-protein, low-sugar diet that marked a dramatic departure from his famous 5,000-plus calorie daily intake. The new regime focused on lean protein sources including chicken, fish, and bison, paired with complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, alongside abundant vegetables.
Industry insiders suggest Johnson’s weight loss journey actually began in 2024 when the actor revealed he had been experiencing digestive health issues for several years. Medical consultations revealed that previous antibiotic treatments had disrupted his gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and other health concerns that prompted an initial lifestyle overhaul.
Mark Kerr, the real-life subject of the biopic, attended the Venice premiere and became visibly emotional during Johnson’s heartfelt speech about the film. Kerr, now 56, was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship winner who competed professionally from 1997 to 2009. His career was previously documented in the acclaimed 2002 HBO documentary also titled The Smashing Machine, which explored his battles with opioid addiction.
“Mark was the greatest fighter in the world at one point, but this film is not even really about fighting — it’s a love story,” Johnson said, growing emotional during the press conference. “It’s a love story about Mark and Dawn in this relationship, and it’s a love story about Mark and the love that he had for the thing that he did — his struggle with trying to deliver in the ring, his challenges and his overcoming.”
Director Benny Safdie, making his solo directorial debut after splitting from his brother Josh following their collaborations on Uncut Gems and Good Time, approached Johnson about the project in 2019. The filmmaker was drawn to the contradictions inherent in Kerr’s story and saw parallels with Johnson’s public persona.
“There was something really complicated about Mark that I wanted to explore,” Safdie explained in the film’s press notes. “And there was something about Dwayne, too. He has this image of himself out in the public, but as he spoke to me about Mark, and as he talked about this movie, oh my God! I realised there was a whole other side to him that we could explore together.”
Emily Blunt, who previously starred alongside Johnson in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, praised her co-star’s commitment to the role. “It was just exciting to be able to work like that with Benny’s visceral way of shooting that was so spontaneous, so it was just like the guardrails came off for us every day,” Blunt stated. “He has absorbed and borne witness to so much of what Mark has experienced that it was such a beautiful thing to watch this person let go of having to be an image, of having to be The Rock, and crack himself in half for this role.”
The film’s Venice premiere attracted significant attention from industry heavyweights, including Seth Rogen, who was spotted enthusiastically photographing the cast throughout the festival. Early critical reception has been mixed overall, but reviewers have universally praised Johnson’s transformative performance, with many suggesting it could earn him his first Academy Award nomination.
Variety described Johnson’s performance as a “revelation,” whilst The Hollywood Reporter noted that the actor delivers “his most absorbing turn yet” in the film. Several critics highlighted how Johnson’s physical transformation serves the story rather than merely shocking audiences, allowing him to disappear into the role of the troubled fighter.
Social media reaction to Johnson’s new physique has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans expressing amazement at the actor’s dedication. “The Smashing Machine is really setting the bar high… an unrecognisable Dwayne Johnson looks to give the best performance of his career,” one user commented on X, formerly Twitter.
The transformation has sparked broader conversations about aging, health, and the pressures of maintaining an action-star physique in Hollywood. At 53, Johnson’s willingness to dramatically alter his trademark build for an artistic challenge represents a significant shift in his career trajectory.
A24 will release The Smashing Machine in UK cinemas on 3 October 2025, with the film expected to feature prominently during awards season. The project marks another prestige collaboration for the independent studio, known for producing critically acclaimed films including Everything Everywhere All at Once and Moonlight.
Johnson’s next projects include a return to more familiar territory with upcoming sequels in the Fast & Furious franchise, though industry observers suggest this dramatic turn could open new doors for the actor in more character-driven roles. He is also set to reunite with Blunt and work with Leonardo DiCaprio in a Martin Scorsese-directed Hawaiian crime thriller.
The Venice Film Festival appearance marked Johnson’s first time at the prestigious event, adding another milestone to his evolving career. As awards season approaches, all eyes will be on whether The Rock’s most dramatic transformation yet will translate into critical recognition and potentially his first Oscar nomination.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
