Dwayne Johnson, 53, stuns fans with ‘much slimmer’ frame and ‘loss of muscle mass’ while promoting The Smashing Machine – as he voices desire to be seen as ‘a serious actor’

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Fans were astonished by the noticeably leaner figure of Dwayne Johnson when he revealed his fresh look at the Venice Film Festival.

Previously well-known WWF entertainer, famously known as The Rock in the wrestling arena, is now promoting his film titled “The Smashing Machine” aggressively.

In the biographical film, Mark Kerr, once an amateur wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, is portrayed in such a way that his resemblance is barely noticeable due to extensive use of prosthetics and a dark wig.

Following the emergence of photos from the Venice Film Festival featuring Dwayne Johnson, there was a surge of fans rushing to observe that he seemed thinner compared to his typical muscular physique. Various social media discussions ensued, speculating about his possible weight loss and decrease in muscle mass.

His remark arose while discussing his aspiration to be recognized with credibility as an actor, following decades of being typecast in certain roles.

Many individuals rapidly posted comments on the microblogging platform, expressing their astonishment at Dwayne Johnson appearing leaner than before. They weren’t merely referring to a recent diet change or technology-they were discussing a deliberate shift in his health and lifestyle.

It seems that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has undergone a significant transformation, shedding approximately 60 pounds. This has given him a noticeably slimmer appearance. We often know him as “The Rock” or “Dwayne Johnson”, but now after such weight loss, he appears to have lost quite a bit of muscle mass.

Moving beyond internet conjecture, the celebrity disclosed his aspiration to be acknowledged as a genuine actor, stemming from his highly successful transition from wrestling into acting.

This individual has been featured in successful high-budget films like Jumanji, Moana, and The Fast and the Furious. Now, he aspires to achieve something more profound than box office success – and aims to secure an Oscar for his work on The Smashing Machine.

The film, produced by indie powerhouse A24, chronicles the life of MMA champion Mark, including his battles with addiction, family conflicts, and his sports career during a time when wrestling was still just starting to make a significant cultural impact.

At the Venice Film Festival, Dwayne made his debut on Monday, expressing that he was finally involved in the type of productions he had always aspired to be a part of.

He noted that in Hollywood, it’s common for things to center around box office success. Pursuing box office success can be quite overwhelming, echoing loudly, and might even confine you within a certain category or limiting space.

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‘This is your lane and this is what you do and this is what Hollywood wants you to do.

I got the gist of it, and I enjoyed watching those films. Some even performed quite well. It’s not so much about demonstrating something to Hollywood as it is about validating myself. A while back, I began questioning whether I was pursuing my dream or someone else’s.

In simpler terms, you’ve reached a point of understanding, and there are essentially two paths you can take. One is sticking with the current situation, which might be comfortable but lacks excitement – ‘sticking with what’s familiar, even though it’s not particularly thrilling.’ The other option is seizing the moment to pursue your dreams and delve into experiences that you’ve held back from in the past due to fear. This means being open to intense, raw emotions and finally expressing all the experiences you’ve accumulated over time.

In easier terms, Johnson dons prosthetics to portray the two-time UFC world heavyweight champion Mark, requiring unique training methods. Director Benny Safdie even questioned whether he could gain more muscle for the role.

Johnson described Mark Kerr as a fascinating paradox due to his gentle and compassionate nature contrasting with his imposing physique. When asked if this also applied to him, Emily Blunt replied, ‘He’s like a comforting dessert.’ Dwayne jokingly responded, ‘On weekends, they call me “dessert” too.’

As the son of a professional wrestler, Dwayne stated that he wasn’t influenced by his own father in his portrayals. He explained, “My dad became homeless at 13, which significantly limited his capacity for affection. The person who raised me was a tough-love kind of guy.

At the press conference on Monday, Dwayne called upon the genuine Mark Kerr, who was present in the audience, to rise and accept the applause from the spectators.

Dwayne said that Mark has significantly impacted our lives, including his own. Like the movie suggests, it’s not only about victories or defeats; it’s also about what happens when success starts to work against us.

In a similar vein, Emily, who stars alongside Dwayne, portrays his character’s girlfriend, Dawn Staples. Throughout the filming process, both actors developed a strong bond with their respective roles. Blunt further mentioned, ‘I grew quite fond of Dawn and she was incredibly open and sharing about her story with me.’

Mark Kerr boasts an impressive array of titles, including two UFC Heavyweight Tournament Championships, a victory in the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament, a Pride FC heavyweight title, a national wrestling championship from the NCAA in 1992, a National Freestyle Championship in 1994, and four ADCC World Submission Championships.

In the year 2003, a documentary named “The Smashing Machine” produced by HBO featured him extensively. This film chronicled his remarkable journey in mixed martial arts (MMA), with fights in Vale Tudo, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Pride.

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2025-09-01 17:50