Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has made headlines recently for his dramatic physical transformation. Spotted at the Venice Film Festival, he unveiled a noticeably slimmer physique, leading to widespread discussions online. At the event, he looked dramatically slimmer as Johnson has lost over 25 kg (about 60 pounds) for this role.
His weight loss has been the subject of numerous discussions among fans and media houses, and some have even suggested that the weight loss was fake or digitally enhanced. This is as a result of his appearance in the forthcoming biographical movie The Smashing Machine, in which he plays UFC legend Mark Kerr.
Dwayne Johnson’s Transformation That Shocked the Internet
The Rock drops 28KG!
— Jack Billion (@jackkbillion) September 1, 2025
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shed nearly 28 kg to focus on health, agility, and longevity.
Doctors warned his physique could harm his long-term health.
Years of training left him feeling heavy and inflamed, with joint strain. pic.twitter.com/fwUSRklrqA
Johnson impressed a lot of his fans after appearing at the Venice Film Festival. His characteristic muscular physique had disappeared; in its place was the thinner, more fit physique. Others were worried about his health, while others were amazed by his commitment to the role. The change has elicited discussions on the internet where some have conjectured on the authenticity of the change. But Johnson has explained that the change was not by chance but because he loved the job.
How Dwayne Johnson Lost Weight ![1 - 2025-09-02T115130.625]( "dwayne johnson weight loss")
His loss of weight was an intentional extreme. Instead of his regular regimen of muscle building, he was on a high-protein, low-sugar diet to reduce fat without losing strength. He replaced high-calorie food items with low-calorie protein foods, such as chicken and fish, and whole grains, such as rice and potatoes, and lots of vegetables.
In fitness terms, Dwayne changed from building up to endurance and functional fitness, which is similar to the training of an MMA fighter. This implied more cardio work, combined with strength training that was conditioned to a real fight rather than pure muscle mass.
He also dealt with digestive health problems starting in 2024, which motivated him to take better care of his body internally. Instead of shortcuts or weight-loss drugs, it was a disciplined change in habits, fueled by a strong personal drive to explore new, challenging roles in his career.
How He Prepared for The Smashing Machine
Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE isn’t reinventing the wheel when it comes to plot, but it’s a sturdy, beautifully shot, sports biopic that’s anchored by some solid acting.
— Luke Hearfield @ Venice (@LukeHearfield) September 1, 2025
Dwayne Johnson has never been better because he’s FINALLY stepped outside his comfort zone. As Mark… pic.twitter.com/pdoMpc9Lvu
Johnson has gone through a harsh transformation process to act as Kerr. It has been reported that he lost about 60 pounds (about 27 kg) to play the role. The weight reduction was done by combining rigorous physical exercise and eating habits. Johnson was also fully devoted to the part because he spent hours in makeup every day to make himself look like Kerr. Furthermore, continuous digestive system problems and medication since early 2024 could also have led to his skinnier figure.
Dwayne himself described this dramatic transformation as “something I was really hungry to do,” aiming to push his limits beyond previous blockbusters. The successful effort earned The Smashing Machine a 15-minute standing ovation at its world premiere, highlighting not just the film but the dedication behind it.
Conclusion
The Smashing Machine is the film where the role of Dwayne Johnson is a testament to the diversity of his hard work as an actor. He has followed his passion once again by adopting a very active role and changing dramatically physically to show he cares about himself and his work. With the release of the film being almost here, audiences are waiting impatiently to watch Johnson as Mark Kerr and how he brings the character to life.