Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has stunned fans with a drastic new look at the Venice Film Festival, where he debuted his slimmed-down frame as he promoted his upcoming biopic, The Smashing Machine.
The 53-year-old actor — usually known for his 300-pound powerhouse physique — has reportedly shed around 60 pounds, per The Independent, bringing his weight closer to an estimated 240 pounds. Johnson portrays UFC pioneer Mark Kerr in the A24 drama, which is set to be released next month.
From “The Rock” to “The Pebble”
As images and video clips circulated from Venice, many fans did a double take at Johnson’s transformation. Gala was first to share several clips of the former WWE Champion’s appearance on TikTok, where people had plenty to say. Some fans were in disbelief, with one person commenting, “That’s not The Rock” and another asked: “What happend to him?”
One fan praised the new direction, saying: “Trying to keep “The Rock” physique was unhealthy. This is much better for him.”
Others highlighted how former WWE superstar Dave Bautista has recently made headlines for dropping weight in order to broaden his horizon in Hollywood. “Dropping weight like Bautista to unlock different types of movie roles,” the TikTok user wrote.
Over on X (formerly Twitter), some praised the move as a healthier shift, while others cracked jokes about his famous nickname.
“That’s The Pebble, not The Rock,” one user quipped, while another added: “Gonna have to start calling him Dwayne the Pebble Johnson.”
Others defended the transformation. “The Rock is close to 60. Maintenance on that size wasn’t physically possible,” one X user wrote. “Dave Bautista did the same. Shout out them for living healthier lifestyles.”
One fan kept it simple: “He still looks good for his age though.”
A Role Unlike Any Other
The Smashing Machine follows the turbulent life of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and Pride FC veteran whose career was marked by both triumph and personal struggle.
Johnson, who appeared on the red carpet in Venice wearing a loose, short-sleeved shirt and straight-leg trousers, called the role his most demanding yet.
“This transformation was something I was really hungry to do,” he told reporters at a press conference, per The Hollywood Reporter. “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?’”
Director Benny Safdie, known for Uncut Gems, is at the helm of the project, with Emily Blunt starring alongside Johnson.
Why The Rock Has Lost Weight
In an earlier interview, Johnson explained why he was stepping away — at least temporarily — from the muscle-bound blockbusters that made him a household name.
“Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting,” he told Variety last year.
“I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”
But the Black Adam star stressed that this isn’t a permanent goodbye to action-heavy crowd-pleasers: “I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies. I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them]… but there’s a time and a place for them.”
Rock also took to Instagram to tell fans: “I’m doing something right now that I have not done in easily over a year – put my feet up.
“We all work hard and we should enjoy and put our feet up. I know a lot of you guys do that well and I need to do a better job of it – of stopping and just enjoying the hard work. I’m on my way. Step one.”
And Rock’s transformation wasn’t just about dropping weight. Johnson also spent hours each day in the makeup chair, donning over a dozen prosthetics to fully embody Kerr’s look. According to E! News, the process sometimes stretched to four hours per session, with Johnson praising the crew’s attention to detail.
The end result has already left audiences buzzing — with some calling it the most unrecognizable and daring role of The Final Boss’ career.
For Johnson, best known for franchises like Fast & Furious and Jumanji, The Smashing Machine marks a bold pivot into dramatic territory. Early reviews from Venice suggest the gamble may pay off, with critics praising his commitment to a role that blends physicality with raw emotional depth.
During the screening of The Smashing Machine at the Venice Film Festival, the movie earned a 15-minute standing ovation, bringing an emotional Johnson to tears.
The movie releases October 3 — and for The Rock, it could mark the beginning of a whole new chapter.
