Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has lost around 28 kg of weight for his role in the latest film, The Smashing Machine. The new caught eyeballs at the Venice Film Festival on September 1 as he stepped onto the red carpet. At the World Premiere of his film, Johnson looked leaner. Photos on social media showed Johnson in a blue button-up shirt and black pants, alongside co-star Emily Blunt. His new leaner and slimmed-down look quickly went viral on social media.
The Smashing Machine And Dwayne Johnson’s Role Transformation
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson portrays the role of legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The film is directed by Benny Safdie, and draws inspiration from the same-named 2002 documentary.
Kerr battled substance abuse and personal struggles during his career. The new movie featuring Johnson explores Kerr’s relationship with his then-girlfriend. The role is played by Emily Blunt.
Dwayne Johnson Speaks About Portraying Mark Kerr’s Role
During a press conference at Venice, Johnson opened up about his decision to take on the role, explaining his desire to push beyond the boundaries Hollywood had placed on him.
“I understood that, and I made those movies, and I liked them, and they were fun, and some were really good and did well, and some not so,” Johnson said. “I just had this burning desire and this voice that was saying ‘Well, what if? What if there is more and what if I can?’”
Johnson revealed that the role of Kerr was both a creative and physical challenge for him. He said his weight loss transformation, which brought him down from roughly 300 lbs to about 240 lbs, was his choice to make sure the role has the fighter authenticity.
“It was something I was really hungry to do,” he said, describing the change as part of his journey to challenge himself in new ways after years of blockbuster roles.
How Dwayne Johnson Lost Weigh
Johnson’s 28 kg weight loss raised questions online, with some social media users joking, “Can’t believe The Rock is on Ozempic too.”
However, there is no evidence linking his transformation to weight-loss drugs. Instead, Johnson cited a combination of factors – treatment for digestive health issues that began in early 2024 and his intense commitment to preparing for the role.
Johnson is a lifelong advocate of rigorous training. He said that his transformation was the result of disciplined hard work rather than shortcuts.
“For me, sweating it out at the gym has always been an essential part of life,” he said.
Also Read: Dwayne Johnson Gets 15-Minute Ovation At Venice For The Smashing Machine, Wipes Tears
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
