Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic 60-lb weight loss has fans saying 'The Rock turned into a polished stone'

VENICE, ITALY: Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, has left fans stunned and concerned after unveiling a dramatically slimmer frame at the Venice Film Festival.

The 53-year-old actor and former wrestler, known for his massive, muscular physique and larger-than-life presence, appeared noticeably leaner, sparking a wave of speculation.

Johnson reportedly dropped around 60 pounds for his role in the upcoming biopic 'The Smashing Machine,' bringing his weight down to approximately 240 pounds, a significant decrease from his usual 300-pound build. 

Dwayne Johnson flaunts slimmer physique at Venice Film Festival debut

Dwayne Johnson made his Venice Film Festival debut in striking fashion, showing off a noticeably slimmer physique while promoting his new biopic, 'The Smashing Machine.'

Dressed in a loose-fitting shirt and formal trousers, the actor’s toned-down look turned heads as he smiled for photos on the red carpet. In the film, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, a former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter. The role required a dramatic transformation, complete with heavy prosthetics and a black wig, leaving him nearly unrecognizable.

Reports suggest Johnson shed around 60 pounds for the role, dialing back his famously high-calorie diet in favor of a high-protein, low-sugar regimen to support a leaner build and more intense training.

Produced by indie powerhouse A24, the film had its world premiere on September 1 at the Venice Film Festival. It follows the turbulent life of Mark Kerr, focusing not only on his MMA career but also on his battles with substance abuse, personal demons, and domestic struggles, long before mixed martial arts exploded into mainstream culture.

Johnson addressed the transformation directly, saying it reflects his long-standing dream of being recognized as a serious actor — a goal he has pursued since transitioning from wrestling to Hollywood. Though he has already starred in blockbuster hits like 'Jumanji,' 'Moana,' and 'The Fast and the Furious,' he now hopes to break free from typecasting and set his sights on critical acclaim, even an Oscar.

'The Rock’s' muscle loss sets off a firestorm online

As photos of Johnson’s transformation surfaced, fans flooded social media with reactions. Many pointed out his slimmer frame and speculated about the motivation behind such a drastic change, linking it to his desire to evolve as an actor.

One concerned fan asked, "Can someone confirm if Dwayne Johnson has been reported to be diagnosed with any illness of recent? Anything related to muscular dystrophy??!"

A curious commenter wrote, "How does one lose muscle?" Another speculated, "This looks like the work of Ozempic which reduces your hunger. People quit eating and will drop fat/muscles."

One person joked, "The Rock turned into a polished stone." Another questioned, "Or is this one of those situations where the actor needs to lose mass to act some specific type scenes??! Cus wtf?!"

An X user posted, "Bro is looking slimmer for real." Another added, "Is he auditioning to play Obama?"

Others defended the transformation. One user wrote, "He didn’t just ‘lose muscle.’ The Rock chose to lean down on purpose. At 52 he’s prioritizing health, agility, and longevity over bulk. It’s not a fall-off, it’s a smart evolution."

A fan explained, "Physiologically he’s doing the best thing. If he keeps forcing to grow muscles while he’s aging, it might cause him to lose a lot of balance and fail to walk by himself in a short time. It’s time for him to relax, get a natural look, and take in electrolytes to keep up with his body demands."

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