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Dwayne « The Rock » Johnson revealed the reason behind his recent slim down that left fans surprised.
Johnson, 53, explained that he’s been losing weight for an upcoming film called « Lizard Music. » He described his character as « a very whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old man called the Chicken Man. And his best friend is a 70-something-year-old chicken. » He joked that in preparation for the role, he’s been eating « less chicken. »
« I’m so excited because I get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in ‘Smashing Machine,' » he said at a Toronto International Film Festival event on Sept. 8, per People. « Can’t wait. »
« This is me slimmed down, » Johnson said. « In the process of slimming down. I still have a long ways to go. »
DWAYNE JOHNSON’S FEAR FUELED AN MMA-STYLE TRANSFORMATION FOR HIS MOST CHALLENGING ROLE YET
Dwayne Johnson, seen left in 2024 and right in 2025, has been displaying a slimmer look during events. (Getty Images)
Johnson debuted his leaner look at the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 25. The actor’s lean look was captured in video from the event.
« Yep had to do a double take.. » one X user commented.
« He’s so lean, » a fan commented.
« The Rock slimming down and still owning every room… legendary glow-up unlocked, » another chimed in.
Dwayne Johnson attends the premiere of « The Smashing Machine » during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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Emily Blunt co-stars in « The Smashing Machine » with Dwayne Johnson. (Ken Hirama/A24)
Before slimming down, Johnson transformed into MMA fighter Mark Kerr for the sports drama « The Smashing Machine. » In an interview with Vanity Fair, Johnson explained that this was the first role in years that made him nervous.
« It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this?’ »
He added, « I realized that maybe these opportunities weren’t coming my way because I was too scared to explore this stuff. »
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Dwayne « The Rock » Johnson is starring in « The Smashing Machine. » (Cheryl Dunn/A24)
To properly take on the role, Johnson wore 13 to 14 prosthetics every day and would just « disappear » when he walked on set.
« I just sat in front of that mirror for three to four hours and watched it all change. There were about 13 or 14 different prosthetics. Subtle, yet I think very impactful. By the time I got to set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it, from how he walked to how he talked and how he looked at life, » he said.
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Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
