Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Sparks Concerns With Shocking Slimmed-Down Physique

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shocked fans at the 2025 Venice Film Festival when he debuted a drastically slimmed-down physique, sparking concern and viral speculation online. Known worldwide for his massive build and blockbuster action roles, the 53-year-old actor appeared noticeably leaner as he walked the red carpet in Italy. The transformation comes as Dwayne Johnson prepares for one of his most challenging roles yet, portraying MMA legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s upcoming film "The Smashing Machine."

Clips and photos circulating on social media show the 53-year-old actor looking noticeably slimmer while stepping out in a light blue patterned shirt tucked into black trousers. The usually bulked-up WWE legend and action star appeared leaner, with fans stunned at the stark contrast to his famously ripped build.

“Yep, had to do a double take,” one user wrote while sharing footage of Johnson walking alongside friends, while another tweet with side-by-side images asked bluntly, “What happened to him?”

Some fans speculated if his transformation could be tied to a health issue, with one tweet reading, “Can someone confirm if Dwayne Johnson has been reported to be diagnosed with any illness of recent? Anything related to muscular dystrophy??!”

It turns out that Dwayne Johnson's slimmed-down look is for his upcoming film, "The Smashing Machine." The wrestler-turned-actor has transformed his body to play MMA fighter Mark Kerr in director Benny Safdie’s drama.

In the movie, Johnson portrays UFC and MMA legend Kerr, whose rise was overshadowed by his struggles with prescription drug addiction. Also starring in the film is Emily Blunt, with whom Johnson has previously worked on Disney's "Jungle Cruise." Blunt will portray Kerr’s now-ex-wife, Dawn Staples.

Despite initial fan concern over his leaner frame, Dwayne Johnson's physical transformation is already generating serious awards chatter. The actor, long known for headlining big-budget action franchises and comedies, has surprised critics with his dramatic turn in Benny Safdie’s "The Smashing Machine."

The Venice Film Festival, where the film made its debut, has become a launchpad for recent Best Actor Oscar winners, including Brendan Fraser in "The Whale" and Adrien Brody in "The Brutalist." With "The Smashing Machine" also being released by A24, a studio with a track record of awards success, Johnson’s performance is already being positioned as a potential contender.

Reflecting on his career shift, Johnson admitted he’s been aware of how Hollywood has traditionally typecast him. “The box office in our business is very loud,” he said, per AP. “And it can push you into a category and into a corner. This is your lane, this is what you do, this what people want you to be in and this is what Hollywood wants you to be. And I understood that. And I made those movies, and I like them and they were fun. And some were really good and did well and some not so good.”

For Dwayne Johnson, stepping into the shoes of MMA legend Mark Kerr wasn’t just another acting gig. He admits it was a challenge he had long been waiting for. Before the premiere in Venice, the actor explained that the role gave him a chance to push beyond the limits of his well-established career.

“I have for a long time wanted this,” Johnson admitted. “The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do. I’ve been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had and make the films that I have, but there was just this voice inside of me, this little voice, like what if I can do more.”

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, "The Smashing Machine" casts Johnson as Mark Kerr, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion whose dominance in the 1990s MMA scene earned him legendary status. But beyond the spotlight, Kerr’s life was plagued by personal demons, including a devastating battle with painkiller addiction.

The film traces both his meteoric rise in the brutal, no-holds-barred era of MMA and the destructive cycle that nearly broke him outside of the ring. Inspired by the real Kerr’s career, which was first chronicled in the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, the story digs into themes of pain, resilience, and the search for redemption.

“The Smashing Machine” will open in the U.S. on October 3.